Yemen War News Updates -- July 16, 2015

IBTimes: Saudi Arabia Coalition, Popular Resistance Forces In Yemen Make Gains Over Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels

Amid speculation about Iran's growing influence in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia-backed forces made major gains against the Houthi rebels aligned with Iran in Yemen this week. Militias seized nearly all of the port city of Aden from the Houthi rebels on Thursday. "Operation Golden Arrow" began Tuesday, just as the United States signed a nuclear deal with Iran, the Houthi rebels' biggest ally.

Several top members of Yemen's Saudi and U.S.-backed government returned to Aden on Thursday, Reuters reported. The delegation reportedly was chosen by exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is now in Saudi Arabia. This could signal preliminary efforts to reinstate the government the Houthis forced into exile three months ago.

Yemen War News Updates -- July 16, 2015

Yemen rebels fire rockets at southern city airport controlled by Saudi-backed forces -- FOX News/AP
Loyalists try to secure Yemen's Aden for exiled govt return -- AFP
Loyalists advance in Yemen's Aden -- AFP
Yemen: Saudi-backed forces take Aden port -- Deutsche Welle
Yemen conflict: Houthi rebels driven back in Aden -- BBC
Yemeni loyalists capture more ground from rebels in Aden -- The Guardian
UAE confirms two officers killed in Yemen -- Al Bawaba
Saudi-led coalition flouts Yemen truce, hinders aid delivery -- Deutsche Welle
Yemen conflict: Exiled ministers return to Aden -- BBC
Officials from Yemen's exiled government arrive in Aden -- Deutsche Welle
Yemeni ministers return after Aden is recaptured -- UPI
Exiled government ministers return to Yemen's Aden -- Reuters
Yemen crisis: Nation's leaders return from exile to revive institutions of state following military setbacks for Houthi rebels -- The Independent
U.S. Aid to Yemen Has Been Rotting Away in Virginia Warehouse for 8 Years -- The Intercept
More than $600,000 dollars in Yemeni military aid found in a Virginia warehouse -- Washington Post
UN: Civilian Death Toll in Yemen Rises Above 1,600 -- AP
Yemen's conflict is splintering out of control -- IRIN
Millions need relief from ‘terrifying’ violence in Yemen – top UN humanitarian official -- UN News Centre