Yemen's Hadi, Shia Houthis hold talks after clashes
Iran Press TV
Tue Jan 20, 2015 2:29PM
Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and a Houthi advisor are holding talks, a day after heavy clashes between Shia Houthi movement's Ansarullah fighters and the government forces in the capital Sana'a.
According to cabinet spokesman, Rageh Badi, the two sides met on Tuesday to negotiate the composition of an 85-strong commission which is responsible for coming up with the outline of the country's future federation.
Yemeni media, meanwhile, cited Information Minister Nadia Sakkaf as saying that the government and the Houthis are on the verge of striking a deal.
The Houthis have set up checkpoints across Sana'a and close to the premier's house. They also roam the streets on foot and in pickup trucks armed with anti-aircraft guns.
On Monday, Ansarullah fighters battled soldiers near the Presidential Palace and elsewhere across the Sana'a, with gunfire and several explosions being heard around the city while artillery shells hit around the palace. The Shia fighters managed to take control of state media in Sana'a.
Nearly 10 people were killed in the clashes and 67 others injured.
The Houthis' al-Maseera satellite television channel said the military opened fire on their patrol in the area of the palace, which led to the outbreak of violence. Later in the day, a ceasefire took effect between Ansarullah revolutionaries and units of government forces.
Yemen has been the scene of tensions after the Shia fighters arrested Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Hadi's chief of staff, at a checkpoint in the country's southern district of Hada.
Mubarak is also the secretary general of the national dialogue committee which aims to secure a political transition in the strife-torn country. Ansarullah revolutionaries accuse him of being a foreign agent.
MR/HMV/SS
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