Noose tightens

ADEN - Northern Yemeni troops fighting to prevent secession by the south appeared to tighten their noose around the southern stronghold of Aden yesterday, despite a ceasefire declared for a Muslim feast. Fighting resumed for the al-Anad base, 25 miles north of Aden, and in Abyan province along the coast east of the city. Southern officers blamed northerners for breaking the ceasefire, saying President Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces had resumed shelling at dawn. Reuter