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Yemen PM quits amid rebel clashes Yemen PM quits amid rebel clashes
(about 2 hours later)
Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa has resigned amid escalating clashes in the capital between Shia Houthi rebels and pro-government forces.Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa has resigned amid escalating clashes in the capital between Shia Houthi rebels and pro-government forces.
The rebels also claim to have taken over government headquarters, key ministries and state broadcasters. The rebels say they have taken over government headquarters, key ministries and state broadcasters.
Scores have died and hundreds have fled their homes in the latest crisis. Scores have died and hundreds have fled their homes in the crisis.
The latest development comes a day after a UN envoy announced a truce deal - yet to be signed - between the government and the rebels.The latest development comes a day after a UN envoy announced a truce deal - yet to be signed - between the government and the rebels.
The Houthis, based in Yemen's mountainous north, have been advancing on the capital for weeks, skirmishing with rivals and organising mass protests calling for greater rights.The Houthis, based in Yemen's mountainous north, have been advancing on the capital for weeks, skirmishing with rivals and organising mass protests calling for greater rights.
The rebels had been due to sign a power-sharing deal, announced late on Saturday by the United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar. The rebels, who are also known as Ansarullah, had been due to sign a power-sharing deal, announced late on Saturday by the United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar.
But as the fighting intensified on Sunday, Mr Basindwa said he would resign in order to pave the way for agreement between the rebels and President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.But as the fighting intensified on Sunday, Mr Basindwa said he would resign in order to pave the way for agreement between the rebels and President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
There has been no comment on the resignation from President Hadi, and it is unclear if the deal will still be signed.
A statement on the Yemeni interior ministry's website urged the security forces to avoid confrontation with the rebels, describing them as "friends of the police".
A statement by an Ansarullah spokesman, Mohamed Abdulsalam, also suggested that the rebels were aligned with elements within the security forces.
"The military and security apparatus have supported the popular revolt," Mr Abdulsalam said on his Facebook page.
Shelling and gunfire have been heard across the capital, despite the imposition of an overnight curfew.Shelling and gunfire have been heard across the capital, despite the imposition of an overnight curfew.
The latest clashes were centred on a military base in Sanaa, and the Iman university complex, considered to be a stronghold of fighters loyal to Islah. The latest clashes were centred on a military base in Sanaa - the headquarters of the First Armoured Division - and the Iman university complex, both seen as strongholds of Sunni Islamist fighters and Islah loyalists.
President Hadi has described the rebel offensive as a "coup attempt". President Hadi had earlier described the rebel offensive as a "coup attempt".
Yemen has remained unstable since an outbreak of anti-government protests in 2011, which forced the then-President Ali Abdallah Saleh from office. Yemen has remained unstable since an outbreak of anti-government protests in 2011, which forced the then-President Ali Abdallah Saleh from office. Mr Basindwa became PM in the government that succeeded Mr Saleh.
The Houthis, who belong to the minority Zaidi Shia community, have staged periodic uprisings since 2004 to win greater autonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province.The Houthis, who belong to the minority Zaidi Shia community, have staged periodic uprisings since 2004 to win greater autonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province.
They consolidated control over Saada during the 2011 uprising and since July have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by Islah, in neighbouring Amran province.They consolidated control over Saada during the 2011 uprising and since July have inflicted defeats on tribal and militia groups backed by Islah, in neighbouring Amran province.
More recently they have demanded the president reverse a decision to cut fuel subsidies and replace the government.More recently they have demanded the president reverse a decision to cut fuel subsidies and replace the government.