Ceasefire reported in Shiite rebel takeover of Yemen’s presidential palace

World Today

In Yemen, the country’s state news agency has reported that an agreement has been reached between the embattled president and Shiite rebels following a violent takeover of the presidential palace on Tuesday.

Chaos unfolded quickly when Houthi Shiite rebels seized control of Yemen’s presidential palace, trapping President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi in his residence.

Internationally, many feared a coup, after Houthi militia seized virtually all media in the capital and the leader of the faction, Abdul Malik al-Houthi spoke on TV.

After word of that a deal was made, President Hadi has claimed he was still in control.

“The Houthis have declared that Hadi is still the President at this moment, we are waiting to have a conversation with President Hadi to make a determination from his point of view of exactly where things stand, ” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Hadi has worked with the U.S. and other nations to combat terrorism for years, specifically with the violent group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP.

The United States considers AQAP the most violent of the al-Qaida network, the same group was blamed for the recent attacks in Paris that spawned world-wide condemnation.

While, Houthi Shiite Muslims oppose al-Qaida, the Houthis have vowed to reduce United States influence in Yemen.

Many Houthi have felt marginalized in a country dominated by Sunnis, however news organizations are reporting that as part of the agreement between President Hadi and Houthi militia, changes in the constitution will be made granting the Houthis more political power in the near future.

“It is my understanding that the Hadi government is going to accept if not all, most of the objections the Houthis had,” Secretary Kerry said.

There have been reports that the Houthi are aligned with Iran and have allegedly received weapons from the country, a charge Houthi leaders deny.

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the current crisis.

“The members of the Security Council called upon all parties to implement a full and lasting ceasefire,” Christian Barros Melet, permanent representative to Chile for the United Nations said.


Nadwa Al-Dawsari of Partners Yemen discusses civil society in Middle East

CCTV America interviewed Nadwa Al-Dawsari, the founder of the nonprofit, Partners Yemen, and a conflict and civil society specialist about the chaotic events in Yemen.