Violence in Yemeni Sanaa Forces Foreign Embassies to Close Down

A number of foreign embassies in Yemeni capital Sanaa have closed down as clashes erupted near the presidential palace between presidential guards and Shiite Houthi militants.

Moscow, January 19 (Sputnik) — A number of diplomatic missions, including those of the US, Britain, Germany and Netherlands, closed down due to the violence in Yemeni capital, reports Anadolu Agency.

The clashes erupted earlier in the day near the presidential palace and were between presidential guards and Shiite Houthi militants resulted in two Houthi fighters injured and a number of civilians killed.

The Yemeni Health Ministry said as a result of the clashes one civilian was killed and nine others wounded, reports Anadolu Agency.

Ali al-Emad, a member of the Political Office of the Shiite Houthi movement, told The Anadolu Agency that the two Houthi militants were "attacked" by presidential guards on Sanaa's Sabeen Square.

Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi plans on forming a committee whose directive will include queries regarding ceasefire in the capital Sana'a, source in the Yemeni goverment told Sputnik.

According to a source representing the Shiite Houthis, Saleh al-Samad will also partake in the committee.

The source further informed that the Houthi fighters are prepared to storm the presidential palace buildings from the east and west sides.

Yemen has been lawless since the uprising that erupted in 2011, ending the autocracy of President Ali Abdullah Saleh a year later.