ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two Yemen civilians were killed and several others injured in armed confrontations between two rival security units in the southern port city of Aden on Saturday, a government official said.
The armed confrontations broke out between security forces supported by the United Arab Emirates and other security soldiers loyal to Yemen's internationally-backed government over the control of a military base in Arish area of Aden province.
The pro-government forces refused to hand over its military base to the UAE-backed forces, sparking fierce armed confrontations that continued for several hours, the source said.
About two civilians were killed and several others injured as a result of the random exchange of gunfire that spread into residential neighborhoods, he added.
Witnesses told Xinhua that military helicopters intervened and shelled armored vehicles belonging to the pro-government forces, causing panic among residents.
A source close to Aden's Security Command said the reason behind the fighting was that "some mutinous soldiers showed resistance and rejected orders to hand over their locations to forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition."
The southern port city of Aden is the headquarters of Yemen's internationally-backed President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government.