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Clashes in Yemen's Capital Leave at Least Nine Dead
[WSJ] Deadly violence erupted here on Monday as government forces clashed with Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to Americaâ¢, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews... bully boyz who are ramping up demands for a greater say in the crafting of a new constitution. The fighting left nine people killed and 67 injured, the country's health ministry said. Unknown gunnies fired on a vehicle carrying Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, who escaped unhurt, according to Minister of Information Nadia al Sakkaf. Fighting also broke out around the presidential palace, but President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi 's whereabouts were unknown and he made no statement Monday. A cease-fire was arranged by late afternoon. The Houthis represent Yemen's Zaidi sect--an offshoot of Shiite Islam. They forced the government's resignation in September after occupying San'a. They complained about the slow pace of reforms undertaken by Mr. Hadi, including the drafting of a new constitution. Posted by: Fred 2015-01-20 |
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