Two Yemeni presidential advisers said on Wednesday that the rebels who are on a power grab campaign in the capital, Sanaa, are holding the president ‘captive’ at his home, a day after seizing the presidential palace.
The advisers said President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi “cannot leave his house” after the Houthi rebels removed his guards and deployed their own fighters at the premises on Wednesday.
One of the advisers says the situation in Yemen has reached the “point of no return,” that the military is in shambles while the country’s security apparatus has been “crippled” after the Houthis’ blitz.
The two advisers spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to media.
Meanwhile, a presidential source said the embattled president met with a representative of Houthi militiamen.
Hadi received Saleh al-Sammad at his residence in western Sanaa, the source said, adding that the president met with other advisors and tribal chiefs.
The source did not disclose details of what was discussed.
Sammad serves as an advisor to Hadi under an agreement signed on September 21 when the Houthis overran the capital Sanaa.
A larger meeting, including representatives of political parties, is set to take place later Wednesday in the presence of the UN envoy Jamal Benomar.
Fierce fighting took place Tuesday between the militiamen and troops guarding Hadi’s residence, while Houthi fighters simultaneously seized control of the presidential palace.
