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11/22/2024 04:28:11 am

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Yemen President Reaches Deal with Rebels, Ends Conflict, For Now

Yemen attack

(Photo : REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH) Houthi fighters stand near a damaged guard post at a Presidential Guards barracks they took over on a mountain overlooking the Presidential Palace in Sanaa January 20, 2015.


Yemen President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has reached a deal with Houthi rebels, ending the conflict that had been gripping the capital for days.


The Houthis have taken control over several government installations, including the presidential palace, the presidential residence, and several military installations. The rebel faction has agreed to withdraw its troops from all these vital installations, if the government will allow amendments to the draft constitution. 

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Hadi had accepted the Houthi's demands in exchange for the release of his top aide - Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who had been held captive for days.  Reports say, Houthi militiamen have not pulled back their fighters nor released Mr. Mubarak despite the deal. 

In her Twitter account, Yemen's information minister Nadia Sakkaf said, "They got what they want, why should they fulfill their promise?" 

Under the terms of the agreement, the draft constitution will be open to edits, deletions and additions.  The constitution must also highlight, Yemen as a federal state. 

The Shi'ite Muslim rebel group has committed to release Dr. Mubarak immediately.  They also vowed to cooperate to bring normal operations back to government institutions. 

The deal was perceived as a victory for the Shi'ite rebel group, who are now allowed to hold positions in all state institutions. 

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political bureau, said negotiations are underway on how to implement the agreement.  He said, fighters had pulled back from the palace, but admits Mr. Mubarak had not been freed.

Gulf Arab states, which had been supporting Hadi's leadership condemns acts by the Houthis and their allies.

The U.S. continues to express support for Hadi and recognizes him as the legitimate leader of Yemen.

"Hadi remains the president of the country and we remain in touch with him," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a briefing.

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