Yemen’s President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi won the support of Gulf neighbours yesterday and readied for talks with Shia militia who had attacked his residence, raising fears of a coup.
The powerful militia, known as Huthis, seized almost full control of the capital Sanaa in September and have fought pitched battles with government forces this week as they press on for more political power.
On Tuesday, the militia seized Mr Hadi’s offices at the presidential palace and attacked his residence, in what officials said was an attempt to overthrow the government.
There were no signs of fresh violence yesterday, but medical and security sources said at least 35 people had been killed and 94 wounded in the two previous days.
After an emergency meeting in Riyadh late evening yesterday, foreign ministers from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council accused the Huthis of an attempted “coup” and expressed support for President Hadi.
The Sunni-dominated GCC warned it “would take all measures necessary to protect their security, stability and vital interests in Yemen”.
A presidential source said Mr Hadi was ready to bring together the country’s political factions, including the Huthis, and a UN special envoy in a bid to defuse the mounting crisis.
