Shia rebels freed more than 300 prisoners in the southern city of Dhale, Yemeni security officials said, s the rebels fought pitched battles with supporters of the country’s beleaguered President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in the southern port city of Aden.
The Shia rebels, known as Huthis, have been trying to take control of Dhale in order to open up a corridor to Aden, a stronghold for Hadi loyalists. Since their advance began last year, the Huthis have overrun Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and several provinces, forcing Mr. Hadi to flee the country.
The officials said that after the Huthi fighters took control of Dhale’s central prison, they gave inmates a choice between joining their ranks and remaining incarcerated.
