Yemen’s southern separatists have taken over the all-but empty presidential palace in Aden, seat of the internationally recognized government, a separatist military official said on Saturday.

The official, speaking in a video statement circulated by supporters of the separatist movement, said the group had met no resistance. A witness told Reuters the separatists were now inside the palace.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Saudi-backed government whose temporary headquarters are in Yemen

-Agencies