ADEN. July 6: Northern Yemeni forces entered outlying but heavily populated northern districts of Aden today in what appeared to be a final push to overthrow the breakaway southern Yemen state, reports Reuter.

Residents sakl troops loyal to northern military President All Abdullah Saleh captured Sheikh Othman by Midday on Wednesday and shortly after took over the nearby Mansoura district-both on the mainland north of the rocky peninsula where central districts of the ancient city of Aden lie.

They said northern forces appeared to be in control of the so-called Caltex round-alx>ut that commands the approaches to central Aden.

There was no immedia'te word on casualties, .but residents said dozens of people were killed or wounded.

The advance into the southern stronghold coincided with the reported northern capture of the major southern oilfield, south Yemeni airport of Al-Bayan arid the town of Mukalla. the second biggest southern city after Aden, a c|ty of half a million |>eopie.

Residents said the northern troops backed by tanks met strong resistance in Mansoura, but machinegun fire and rocket exchanges eased when they reached the police station and the offices oi the Yemen Socialist Party, the main southern political grouping.