Forces loyal to Yemen's president said they seized strategic buildings in the southern city of Aden Monday after a five-hour battle, escalating a civil conflict that threatens to split the country in two.

The country's north is dominated by the Shiite Muslim Houthis, who completed a takeover of the capital Sanaa last month, while in the south forces loyal to Hadi and separatists seeking to restore the former South Yemen appear to be in charge.

The Houthis forced Hadi to resign during their takeover, but he remains de jure president as parliament has yet to give its assent. They tried to dissolve the assembly two weeks ago, but its largest group, the General People's Congress party (GPC) objected.

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