Yemen Houthis Laying Siege to Defense Ministry Building in Sanaa: Source

The Houthi rebels are besieging the building of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense in Sanaa, a military source told Sputnik Tuesday.

SANAA, December 16 (Sputnik) — The Houthi Shiite rebels are besieging the building of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense in the country's capital of Sanaa, a military source told Sputnik Tuesday.

"At the moment, dozens of Houthi rebels are besieging the building of Yemen's Ministry of Defense in the center of the capital city," the source said, adding that the incident was prompted by the refusal of the country's Defense Minister Mahmoud Subaihi to allow Houthis to represent their interests by working as observers at various departments of the ministry.

According to Sputnik's source, tensions have been especially high in Sanaa after a large contingent of the Presidential Guard arrived on the scene. The source noted that to prevent further escalation of the conflict talks are now underway with the help of mediators.

Yemen's Houthi movement Ansar Allah started engaging in mass protests in August in the country, following the government's decision to slash fuel subsidies. The unrest led to the resignation of the country's government on September 21. Through the United Nation's mediation, Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Shiite rebels came to a crisis settlement agreement, in accordance with which a new inclusive government should have been formed by October 21. On November 9, the president swore in the government headed by Khaled Bahah. The cabinet that was subsequently selected was strongly opposed by Ansar Allah.