Yemen PM Resigns After Rebels Seize Capital

Govt Announce New Ceasefire, Major Concessions

Yemeni Prime Minister Mohamed Basindawa has announced his resignation today, issuing a harsh condemnation of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s autocratic style of rule on his way out.

The resignation came after the announcement that the Houthi rebels, fighting in the cpaital city, had managed to take many of the government buildings, and effectively controls the “seat of government.”

The announcement from the rebels was followed by an announcement by Hadi that a ceasefire deal was reached which was leading to the creation of a new “technocratic national government,” apparently in anticipation of elections.

Analysts say the move is expected to greatly increase Houthi influence in the government, after the single-candidate election to install Hadi left them more or less without a say in the government.

The Houthis are Shi’ites, and have been fighting a war in the far north of Yemen against Sunni Islamists, backed by the government, on and off for years. They have long complained that the government doesn’t give them investment nearly equal to the amount of tax that they pay.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.