Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has left the country for neighboring Oman as battles intensify between Western-backed government forces and the Yemeni ethnic Houthi militia in the port city of Aden, media reported Thursday.
"President Hadi has returned to Yemen after being denied entrance to the Sultanate of Oman," the source said, adding that negotiations between Hadi's representatives and Omani authorities are underway.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and its allies launched airstrikes against sections of the Houthi militia, in control of parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Earlier on Thursday, pro-government forces backed by airstrikes reportedly regained control of the Aden airport.
The Houthis allegedly offered a $100,000 bounty for the arrest of President Hadi, who had fled to the southern seaport of Aden, after Houthis captured the presidential palace in Sanaa in January.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly using around 100 fighter jets and 150,000 personnel in the military operation.
