DHAKA: At least 43 people have been killed in shelling by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the southern city of Aden, officials say.

They say at least 120 others were wounded in Sunday's bombardment, which came amid attempts by government forces to tighten their grip on the city.

Aden has seen months of heavy fighting between rebels and loyalists.

Pro-government forces, backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, last week recaptured most of the port city, including the airport.

On Sunday, fierce clashes raged in Aden's northern district of Dar Saad.

A Houthi rebel leader denied bombarding the district, but Yemeni medics said the shelling came from the rebel-held areas, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Overnight pro-government militias failed to capture the last remaining rebel stronghold in the city - the Tawahi peninsula in the south.

The government fled Aden in March, as the Houthis - Shia Muslims from the north who control the capital Sanaa - pushed towards the provincial capital.

Following the recent advances by loyalist forces, the exiled government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi declared the area "liberated" on Thursday.

BDST: 1103 HRS, JULY 20, 2015
RS