Rebels seize Yemen air base used in al-Qaida fight: Report

A television station run by Yemen's Shiite rebels says Houthi fighters and their allies have seized an air base where US troops and Europeans advised the country in its fight against al-Qaida.
The satellite Al-Masirah news channel reported today that the fighters had "secured" the al-Annad air base. It claimed the base had been looted by both al-Qaida fighters and troops loyal to embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Officials loyal to Hadi had no immediate comment.
The US recently evacuated some 100 soldiers, including Special Forces commandos, from the base after al-Qaida seized a nearby town. Britain also evacuated soldiers.

The base was crucial in the US drone campaign against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, which America considers to be the most dangerous branch of the terror group.