Yemen clashes between Saudi, UAE-backed fighters

Fierce clashes have erupted in Yemen's sourn province of Abyan between Saudi-backed government troops and separatists backed by United Arab Emirates, with at least six fighters from both sides killed in past 24 hours, officials and residents said Tuesday.

fighting between two sides — allies in Saudi-led coalition that for years has battled Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels based in rth — has ded ar layer to complex civil war in Arab world's most impoverished country.

It comes amid weeks of mounting tensions after secessionist Sourn Transitional Council (STC) last month declared self-rule over key port city of en to assert control over sourn Yemen.

fighting could furr undermine a Saudi Arabia-brokered peace deal between government side and STC separatists.

clashes broke out as government forces vanced toward Zinjibar, Abyan provincial capital, and separatists brought in reinforcements to defend city, security officials said, speaking on condition of anymity to talk to reporters.

Residents, who would t give ir names, fearing reprisal, said government forces were shelling separatists' positions.

Yemen's conflict started with Houthis capturing capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

following year, Saudi-led coalition intervened to battle rebels and curb Iran's influence in what turned into a stalemated regional proxy war.

Since n, more than 100,000 people — fighters and civilians — have been killed.

Airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition and Houthis' ground fighting has displaced more than three million people and left millions more on bring of famine.