ADEN: Gulf-supported forces loyal to Yemen's exiled government on Saturday retook a fifth province in the country's south, military officials said, as they continued their advance against Iran-backed rebels.

The rebels "withdrew" and "handed over" Shabwa to the pro-government forces after they were promised a safe route out of the province, a military official told AFP.

Other army officials confirmed the rebel pull-out.

"The province was handed over" to the Southern Movement, a secessionist group whose militants have been fighting in loyalist ranks, said Salem al-Awlaqi, a political activist in Shabwa.

Loyalist forces in the south launched an offensive last month against the rebels, forcing them out of main southern city Aden in mid-July.

They later advanced retaking the provinces Daleh, Lahj, and Abyan, in addition to Shabwa -- which has substantial oil reserves.

Complaining of marginalization, the Shiite Houthi rebels descended from their northern stronghold last year and seized capital Sanaa unopposed before advancing on second city Aden in March.