Yemen on High Alert as Rebels Push to Overthrow Gov’t

Local Editor

Led by heavily armed rebels, thousands of demonstrators are demanding the government step down by the end of the week.

"Ansar Allah" commander Abdulmalik al-Huthi said the authorities must meet protesters' grievances by the end of the week, or additional forms of "legitimate action" would take place.

According to reports, rebel militias were deploying on rooftops in parts of the capital and armed rebel convoys were entering the capital and setting up checkpoints.

Military officials said forces were on standby in case of an attack.

The protests were sparked by a steep rise in gas prices - due to a government stop to fuel subsidies.

The demonstrations are gaining in strength as supporters continue to join the anti-government camps. On Wednesday, men armed with Kalashnikovs were seen guarding walled camps set up by the demonstrators.

In a bid to stem the crisis, President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi has called for dialogue with the rebels and invited representatives to join a "unity government".
Yemen's Supreme Security Committee, its most senior security body, warned earlier in the week it would take "all measures to ensure the safety and security of the country."

Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said in televised remarks during a government emergency meeting that he would take "decisive and legal action" against the rebels and said the demonstrations were "unacceptable".

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team