SANA, Yemen — Fighting among government forces and local affiliates of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State has flared in the port city of Aden, killing 22 people at a time when government forces are battling both groups, Yemeni security officials said Sunday.
Officials said 17 of those killed were from Al Qaeda, three were government forces, and two were civilians. The officials, neutral in the conflict pitting government forces against Shi’ite rebels, spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief reporters.
Fighting broke out Saturday when government forces sought to retake areas held by local affiliates of both Al Qaida and ISIS, causing civilians to flee their homes.
Both extremist groups have exploited the chaos of Yemen’s 18-month civil war to expand the territory under their control in southern and eastern Yemen.