SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Heavily armed Shiite rebels remain stationed outside the Yemeni president’s house and the palace in Sanaa, despite a deal calling for their immediate withdrawal to end a violent standoff.
Just before midday on Thursday, and more than 14 hours after the deal was struck, an Associated Press reporter saw the Shiite rebel gunmen deployed outside the house of President Abed Rabbo Mansour, located west of the capital.
There was also no sign that the president’s chief of staff, who was kidnapped on Saturday, has been released — which was also part of the deal.
The militiamen are positioned outside the presidential palace, which they stormed Wednesday after intense clashes.
The Houthis say they want better representation in government. A deal reached Wednesday promised to respond to their demands.
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