Houthis gain full control of Yemen presidential palace

Houthi movement’s Ansarullah fighters in Yemen have reportedly gained full control of the presidential palace in the capital, Sana’a.

According to Saleh al-Jamalani, the commander of the Presidential Protection Force, the fighters made their way into the palace on Tuesday afternoon.

The fighters have also reportedly disarmed two units of the presidential guards.

This comes as earlier reports said Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and a Houthi advisor are holding talks.

According to cabinet spokesman, Rageh Badi, the two sides met on Tuesday to negotiate the composition of an 85-strong commission which is responsible for coming up with the outline of the country’s future federation.

The Houthis have set up checkpoints across Sana’a and close to the premier’s house. They also roam the streets on foot and in pickup trucks armed with anti-aircraft guns.

On Monday, Ansarullah fighters battled soldiers near the Presidential Palace and elsewhere across Sana’a, with gunfire and several explosions being heard around the city while artillery shells hit around the palace. The Shia fighters managed to take control of state media in Sana’a.

Nearly 10 people were killed in the clashes and 67 others injured.

Yemen has been the scene of tensions after the Shia fighters arrested Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Hadi’s chief of staff, at a checkpoint in the country’s southern district of Hada.

Mubarak is also the secretary general of the national dialogue committee which aims to secure a political transition in the strife-torn country. Ansarullah revolutionaries accuse him of being a foreign agent.