Houthi Rebels in Yemen Release Captured Presidential Chief of Staff

A source in the Yemeni parliament announced that Houthi rebels in Yemen had released Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the President's chief of staff.

MOSCOW, January 28 (Sputnik) – Houthi rebels in Yemen have released Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the President's chief of staff that they had been holding prisoner, a source in the Yemeni parliament has told Sputnik.

"Bin Mubarak has left the location where he had been kept, he is ok. Bin Mubarak was handed over to the delegation of elders in the [southern] Shabwa province," the source said Tuesday, adding that the delegation included a member of the Yemeni parliament.

Bin Mubarak and two of his guards were abducted by the rebels on January 18. The capture of Yemeni president's chief of staff led to fierce confrontations in the capital Sanaa, where Houthis took control of the presidential palace.

Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi submitted his resignation last week. The country's cabinet also offered its resignation, following clashes with Shia Houthi rebels.

The Houthis are the main opposition force in Yemen. They have been carrying out protests in the country since mid-August, demanding the resignation of the Yemeni government. Houthi militias have taken over many Yemeni cities, including parts of Sanaa. The fighters claim their actions are aimed at protecting civilians from terrorism and discrimination by the government.