![Image of Aden International Airport in southern Yemen [osamahadrami/Twitter]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017_3_7-Yemeni-internationa-airport.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Heavy fighting broke out in the early hours of this morning for the control of Aden Airport, reported journalist Iona Craig.
Heavy fight this a.m over control of Aden airport between UAE + their supported forces versus Hadi/Islah aligned troops. UAE side won again
— Iona Craig أيونا كريچ (@ionacraig) May 31, 2017
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) alongside southern separatists and the Transitional Council fought forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. After a long gun battle, the UAE-backed forces took control of the airport.
Since 2015, the UAE has been a member of a Saudi-led coalition which is fighting to reinstate Hadi and push back the Iran-backed Houthi group’s military advances towards southern Yemen. The UAE’s political goals have since changed in the south and it has thrown its support behind a Transitional Council which opposes Hadi’s political goals.