Houthi militants and pro-government forces face off near President Hadi's
residence in Sana'a
Saturday 20th September 2014
Sana'a, Asharq Al-Awsat-Yemen's central government is considering a new set
of demands issued by the Shi'ite Houthi movement to end the politial unrest
and bloodshed that has engulfed the country, high-level political sources
told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The new Houthi demands come following renewed international efforts to end
the conflict between the Shi'ite rebels and government forces and allied
tribes, with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar meeting with both sides
this week as part of efforts to secure a deal.
During talks on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi informed
Benomar of the group's new demands, which include full control of the port
of Midi in Yemen's western Al-Hudaydah province. The Houthis are also
demanding a stronger role in government, including input into the selection
of ministers, as well as a permanent Houthi military presence in the capital
Sana'a, a senior political source speaking on the condition of anonymity
told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Following Omani-Iranian pressures on the Shi'ite rebel group, Benomar met
with the Houthi leadership on Wednesday and Thursday in what he described as
"constructive and positive" talks.
The UN official told Yemen's state-owned SABA news agency: "I met with Abdul
Malik Al-Houthi within the framework of discussions with all concerned
parties in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis in
Yemen."
The talks focused on "solutions to the crisis that can be agreed on by all
parties and which are based on the outcomes of the Comprehensive National
Dialogue Conference."
On the security level, violent clashes erupted in western parts of Sana'a on
Thursday between Houthi militants and pro-government People's Committees. At
least ten rebels were killed with dozens more reported injured.
Eye-witnesses informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi fighters attacked a
government military checkpoint close to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's
residence before they were repelled by militia loyal to the government.
"Shamlan [a suburb of Sana'a] has turned into a battleground with all kinds
of weapons being used. Dead bodies are strewn across the main road and side
streets," Kamal, a resident of the district, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi chaired a meeting of the Supreme
Military and Security Committee on Thursday to discuss the latest unrest.
The committee condemned the "Houthi escalation in and around Sana'a which
represents a threat to security, stability and public tranquility in the
city and coincides with current efforts to secure a solution to the current
crisis," Yemen's state-owned SABA news agency reported.