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Yemen Houthi rebel leader says situation critical | Yemen Houthi rebel leader says situation critical |
(4 months later) | |
The leader of Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen has said that the country is at a critical and defining moment. | The leader of Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen has said that the country is at a critical and defining moment. |
In a televised address, Abdel Malek al-Houthi accused President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and other leaders of putting their interests ahead of the Yemeni people. | In a televised address, Abdel Malek al-Houthi accused President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and other leaders of putting their interests ahead of the Yemeni people. |
Earlier, Houthi rebels shelled the president's home in Sanaa and seized control of the presidential palace. | Earlier, Houthi rebels shelled the president's home in Sanaa and seized control of the presidential palace. |
The UN Security Council condemned the attack and voiced support for Mr Hadi. | The UN Security Council condemned the attack and voiced support for Mr Hadi. |
Yemen, a key US ally in the fight against al-Qaeda in the region, has been beset by unrest for months. | Yemen, a key US ally in the fight against al-Qaeda in the region, has been beset by unrest for months. |
"What happened was that they [the political leadership] have sunk deep into corruption and tyranny," Mr Houthi said. | "What happened was that they [the political leadership] have sunk deep into corruption and tyranny," Mr Houthi said. |
"The nation has started moving towards a tragic situation and complete collapse. The situation has worsened on all fronts - political, economic and security - on a large scale." | "The nation has started moving towards a tragic situation and complete collapse. The situation has worsened on all fronts - political, economic and security - on a large scale." |
Mr Houthi also accused the government of encouraging the spread of al-Qaeda in Yemen. | Mr Houthi also accused the government of encouraging the spread of al-Qaeda in Yemen. |
"They helped them to grow in all provinces and the president refused to order the army to wage war against them," he said. | "They helped them to grow in all provinces and the president refused to order the army to wage war against them," he said. |
Houthi militias, who are seeking greater autonomy for their home province, overran the capital Sanaa in September after moving out of their northern stronghold. | Houthi militias, who are seeking greater autonomy for their home province, overran the capital Sanaa in September after moving out of their northern stronghold. |
However, the capital's presidential buildings had remained outside their control. | However, the capital's presidential buildings had remained outside their control. |
President Hadi was reported to be inside his house when it was shelled but an official insisted he was safe. | President Hadi was reported to be inside his house when it was shelled but an official insisted he was safe. |
Information Minister Nadia al-Sakkaf said on Twitter the president's home had come under heavy shelling from armed forces positioned on rooftops nearby. | Information Minister Nadia al-Sakkaf said on Twitter the president's home had come under heavy shelling from armed forces positioned on rooftops nearby. |
The ceasefire that broke down on Tuesday had been agreed just one day earlier after hours of fierce clashes in the city between the presidential guard and the rebels. | The ceasefire that broke down on Tuesday had been agreed just one day earlier after hours of fierce clashes in the city between the presidential guard and the rebels. |
Under an agreement with President Hadi, the Houthis - who abducted presidential chief of staff Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak on Saturday - pledged to withdraw from the capital once a new unity government was formed. | Under an agreement with President Hadi, the Houthis - who abducted presidential chief of staff Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak on Saturday - pledged to withdraw from the capital once a new unity government was formed. |
The UN Security Council said in a statement adopted by all 15 members that President Hadi was "the legitimate authority". | The UN Security Council said in a statement adopted by all 15 members that President Hadi was "the legitimate authority". |
It urged "all parties and political actors in Yemen" to stand with him and the government to "keep the country on track to stability and security". | It urged "all parties and political actors in Yemen" to stand with him and the government to "keep the country on track to stability and security". |
The Houthis, who adhere to a branch of Shia Islam known as Zaidism, have staged periodic uprisings since 2004 in an effort to win greater autonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province. | The Houthis, who adhere to a branch of Shia Islam known as Zaidism, have staged periodic uprisings since 2004 in an effort to win greater autonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province. |
They consolidated their control over Saada during the 2011 uprising that forced long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. | They consolidated their control over Saada during the 2011 uprising that forced long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. |
Since July the rebels have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by the leading Sunni Islamist party, Islah, and battled jihadist militants from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has vowed to defend the country's Sunni community. | Since July the rebels have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by the leading Sunni Islamist party, Islah, and battled jihadist militants from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has vowed to defend the country's Sunni community. |
Opponents allege that the rebels ultimately hope to reinstall the Zaidi imamate, which ruled North Yemen for almost 1,000 years until 1962. | Opponents allege that the rebels ultimately hope to reinstall the Zaidi imamate, which ruled North Yemen for almost 1,000 years until 1962. |
Have you been affected by the situation in Yemen? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. | Have you been affected by the situation in Yemen? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. |