Yemen Shias stage Sanaa protest as crisis talks held
24 Aug 2014 4:45 AM IST
Tens of thousands of supporters of Shia Zaidi rebels pressing the government to resign gathered on Friday in the north of Yemen’s capital as a presidential team held crisis talks in their stronghold.
After the rally, a group of Zaidis started building an encampment on a road in northern Sanaa where the interior, communication and electricity ministries are located, an AFP reporter said.
The road, where the Shia rebels also have an office, leads to Sanaa International Airport.
Against the backdrop of what were termed ‘positive’ talks in the Zaidis’ northern Yemeni stronghold of Saada, the rally was staged on the final day of an ultimatum set by rebel commander Abdulmalik al-Huthi.
‘The people want to overthrow the government,’ chanted the protesters who joined the weekly Friday prayers.
‘The people want the decision revoked,’ they shouted, referring to the government’s doubling of fuel prices that came into effect this month.
The protest marks the start of the ‘second phase of the peaceful revolutionary escalation’ through ‘legitimate means’, Huthi said on Thursday.
After the rally, a group of Zaidis started building an encampment on a road in northern Sanaa where the interior, communication and electricity ministries are located, an AFP reporter said.
The road, where the Shia rebels also have an office, leads to Sanaa International Airport.
Against the backdrop of what were termed ‘positive’ talks in the Zaidis’ northern Yemeni stronghold of Saada, the rally was staged on the final day of an ultimatum set by rebel commander Abdulmalik al-Huthi.
‘The people want to overthrow the government,’ chanted the protesters who joined the weekly Friday prayers.
‘The people want the decision revoked,’ they shouted, referring to the government’s doubling of fuel prices that came into effect this month.
The protest marks the start of the ‘second phase of the peaceful revolutionary escalation’ through ‘legitimate means’, Huthi said on Thursday.
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