Huthi gunmen fired shells on a boat and killed 45 Yemeni civilians who were fleeing from intense fighting in Aden on Wednesday.

Security sources in the governorates said the slain civilians were among 50 people on the boat sailing from Aden's Al Tawahi district and heading towards safer areas in Al Buraiqa in the west.

Fierce fighting is raging in Al Tawahi since yesterday between forces loyal to President Abed Raboo Mansur Hadi, supported by the popular resistance committees' fighters on one side and Huthi militants on the other.

Local sources said the fierce clashes erupted after Huthi militants infiltrated into city from sea after they failed to overrun it through the main highway.

Earlier in the day, Brig Ali Nasser Hadi, commander of the fourth military area was killed by Huthi snipers. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi later appointed Brig Gen Saif Al-Baqri to replace the slain Brigadier.
Source: QNA