17 Killed by Huthi Mines in South Yemen

Seventeen civilians were killed and dozens wounded by explosions of mines planted by retreating Shiite Huthi rebels from the southern Yemeni province of Lahj, military sources said Friday.

They said most of the casualties were civilians returning to their homes, including in provincial capital Huta.

The Iran-backed rebels fled after forces loyal to exiled president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi retook large parts of the southern province.

Loyalists have regained the upper hand in the south, after recapturing second city Aden last month and the key al-Anad airbase to its north earlier this week.

A passenger plane of national carrier Yemenia landed Friday in Aden from Djibouti, carrying 180 Yemenis returning home, airport director Tareq Abdu told AFP.

An Emirati plane also arrived late on Thursday, he said, carrying navigation equipment to rehabilitate the airport, which was partly destroyed in fighting.