Rebels Take over Yemen Capital

 (Jan. 20): Fighting in Sana between Houthi rebels and government troops escalate, and the Houthis take control of the presidential palace complex, sparking fears of a coup. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the group's leader, says President Hadi has failed to follow through on the reforms he promised and demands that a new constitution grant Houthis greater representation in Yemen's government. The escalation follows the release of a draft constitution that calls for Yemen to become a federation of six regions, a concept that emerged from the National Dialogue Conference and one that the Houthis oppose. The Houthis surrounds the presidential palace complex, with President Hadi inside, and take his chief of staff hostage. (Jan. 21): The Houthis and the government sign a cease-fire, in which the Houthis agree to withdraw from the presidential palace and the government says it will abandon the regional plan and give the Houthis more say in the naming of government officials. The Houthis, however, renege on the deal. (Jan. 22):President Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, and the cabinet all resign, citing the Houthi's failure to abide by the cease-fire. However, the Houthis say in a statement that parliament must approve Hadi's resignation before it can take effect. The statement hints at the Houthi's reluctance to assume control over the country since it does not have support of the Sunni majority in the south. Many fear that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) will take advantage of the political vacuum.