国际英语新闻:Saudi-backed Yemen gov't holds meeting to discuss escalation in Aden

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's internationally-recognized government on Thursday held a crisis meeting in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh to follow up the escalating situation in the country's southern part.

A government official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity saying that "all the government's members attended a crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and discussed ways to confront the armed rebellion in the southern port city of Aden."

"The government warned against attacking the government's institutions offering services for the residents in Aden and neighboring provinces," said the source.

Earlier in the day, local government sources said that there's a precautionary closure of Yemen's Central Bank (YCB) based in Aden for fears of looting or armed robbery due to the escalating tension in the city.

However, the YCB denied reports talking about the precautionary closure confirming that it continues offering the financial services normally without any obstacles.

Forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) completely seized the strategic southern port city of Aden last week following days of intense street fighting with the government forces.

Considered as Yemen's temporary capital, Aden is where the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has based itself since 2015.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthis overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces including the capital Sanaa.