Houthi leaders have fled their positions in Taiz as more coalition troops and weapons pour into the Southwestern Yemeni governorate for a decisive offensive to push the insurgents out, a Yemeni official said in remarks published on Wednesday.

A Yemeni news network, meanwhile, said deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh visited the Russian embassy apparently to seek help, adding that his talks with Russian officials “show how desperate he is”.

“Houthi leaders have fled Taiz city for the mountains and valleys after more military reinforcements by the coalition and the national army and resistance arrived,” said Mukhtar Al Rahbi, press secretary at the Yemeni Presidential office.

“Second and third ranks military personnel in the Houthi militias and their allies are now supervising the battle there,” he told the Saudi daily ‘Al Riyadh’.

He said the situation in Taiz is largely in favour of the coalition and that its liberation from the coup insurgents has become a “matter of time”.

In a report from Sanaa, Yemen’s news network Mareb Press said Saleh visited the Russian embassy in the capital and met senior officials.

“His media said he went there to extend condolences on the victims of the Russian plane crash in Egypt, but it is clear that he is seeking help from Russia to save him as was the case with the Syrian President. He is clearly desperate for that help.”