Clashes between Revolutionary Houthis and Western-backed Wahhabi Islah group continue in Yemeni capital

Fierce fighting continues between the Ansarullah fighters of the Revolutioanry Houthi movement and Western-backed Wahhabi Islah party despite a curfew imposed by Yemen’s top security body in the restive areas of the capital, Sana’a.

Clashes are underway in several parts of the city, including in Sana’a University. Several explosions were also heard in the northern parts of the conflict-plagued city.

On Saturday, the Supreme Security Commission declared the curfew in the north and west of Sana’a.

Meanwhile, the UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar says an agreement has been reached between the warring sides to resolve the crisis.

He said the deal is based on the outcomes of the National Dialog Conference and that preparations are underway to sign the agreement.

Fighting has been raging on between Ansarullah fighters and loyalists to Salafist Islah party in Sana’a since Thursday.

The Salafists are backed by some army units, which are under the control of Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the stepbrother of the country’s deposed dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Yemeni capital has been the scene of protests by Ansarullah members for weeks; they have been demanding the establishment of a new government and the reinstatement of fuel subsidies. The protesters say the government is corrupt and marginalizes the country’s Shia community.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently called on Yemeni authorities to probe the use of force against anti-government protesters in Sana’a and other cities.

The Houthi movement played a key role in the popular revolution that forced former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to step down in February 2012.