51.   But the south has accused Sanaa of playing for time in the hope of continuing its assault on Aden.

52.   But the south has accused Sanaa of playing for time in the hope of continuing its assault on the southern stronghold of Aden.

53.   Troops also continued assaults on western villages, including Samashki, where thousands of civilians have been trapped for more than a week amid artillery and aerial bombardments.

54.   Meanwhile, US air and ground forces continued their assault on a mountain stronghold where hundreds of mostly al-Qaeda fighters were putting up fierce resistance.

55.   Russian forces also continued an assault on Chechen rebels holed up in the village of Gekhi, southwest of Grozny, Russian military officials told ITAR-TASS.

56.   Russian troops continued their assaults on western villages, including Samashki, where thousands of civilians have been trapped for more than a week under artillery and aerial bombardments.