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Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels 'not withdrawing' in Sanaa Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels 'not withdrawing' in Sanaa
(4 months later)
Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen remain in key positions in the capital Sanaa, despite a deal under which they agreed to withdraw, witnesses say.Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen remain in key positions in the capital Sanaa, despite a deal under which they agreed to withdraw, witnesses say.
The deal saw a series of concessions to the rebels, who surrounded the home and took over the palace of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi this week.The deal saw a series of concessions to the rebels, who surrounded the home and took over the palace of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi this week.
On Wednesday Mr Hadi agreed to allow the rebels a bigger political role.On Wednesday Mr Hadi agreed to allow the rebels a bigger political role.
In return, the rebels said they would pull back and free the president's chief of staff, held since Saturday.In return, the rebels said they would pull back and free the president's chief of staff, held since Saturday.
The deal met a series of rebel demands including the expansion of Houthi representation in parliament and state institutions, according to the official Saba news agency.The deal met a series of rebel demands including the expansion of Houthi representation in parliament and state institutions, according to the official Saba news agency.
A draft constitution opposed by the Houthis may now also be amended, a statement from Mr Hadi's office said.A draft constitution opposed by the Houthis may now also be amended, a statement from Mr Hadi's office said.
The draft document had proposed creating a federation of six regions in Yemen, something the rebels reject. Wednesday's deal provided for a federal state, but did not mention a specific number of regions.The draft document had proposed creating a federation of six regions in Yemen, something the rebels reject. Wednesday's deal provided for a federal state, but did not mention a specific number of regions.
A Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, told Reuters news agency the group was satisfied with the deal, though it might take the rebels several days to withdraw.A Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, told Reuters news agency the group was satisfied with the deal, though it might take the rebels several days to withdraw.
"The agreement is satisfactory because it confirms what is most important in the partnership agreement," he added, referring to an earlier UN-backed power-sharing deal reached in September."The agreement is satisfactory because it confirms what is most important in the partnership agreement," he added, referring to an earlier UN-backed power-sharing deal reached in September.
The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are believed to have taken control of most media outlets. They have also surrounded the residence of Prime Minister Khalid Bahah.The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are believed to have taken control of most media outlets. They have also surrounded the residence of Prime Minister Khalid Bahah.
The rebels have denied their actions amount to a coup against President Hadi.The rebels have denied their actions amount to a coup against President Hadi.
But their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, went on TV on Tuesday to accuse him and other Yemeni leaders of ignoring the people's interests.But their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, went on TV on Tuesday to accuse him and other Yemeni leaders of ignoring the people's interests.
He also accused the government of encouraging the spread of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula militants (AQAP), which has vowed to defend Yemen's Sunni community against the Houthi rebels.He also accused the government of encouraging the spread of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula militants (AQAP), which has vowed to defend Yemen's Sunni community against the Houthi rebels.
The UN Security Council has backed Mr Hadi's authority as the legitimate president in a statement agreed by all 15 members.The UN Security Council has backed Mr Hadi's authority as the legitimate president in a statement agreed by all 15 members.
The US stressed on Wednesday that he remained president and said a joint counter-terrorism operation against AQAP was continuing.The US stressed on Wednesday that he remained president and said a joint counter-terrorism operation against AQAP was continuing.
But the BBC's Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher says that although Mr Hadi remains nominally in charge, the Houthis are currently in control.But the BBC's Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher says that although Mr Hadi remains nominally in charge, the Houthis are currently in control.
The General People's Congress party of the former President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has endorsed the rebels' demands.The General People's Congress party of the former President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has endorsed the rebels' demands.
Mr Saleh has been suspected of backing the Houthis for a long time, even though he fought against them before stepping down after a popular uprising in 2011.Mr Saleh has been suspected of backing the Houthis for a long time, even though he fought against them before stepping down after a popular uprising in 2011.
On Wednesday, the Qatari-based TV channel al-Jazeera broadcast what it said was a leaked conversation showing collusion between Mr Saleh and the Houthis.On Wednesday, the Qatari-based TV channel al-Jazeera broadcast what it said was a leaked conversation showing collusion between Mr Saleh and the Houthis.
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.
Since July the rebels have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by the leading Sunni Islamist party, Islah, and battled AQAP as they have pushed into central and western provinces.Since July the rebels have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by the leading Sunni Islamist party, Islah, and battled AQAP as they have pushed into central and western provinces.
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.
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