iStock/Thinkstock(SANAA, Yemen) — Confusion abounds in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa as to whether a coup has driven President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi from power.
Following days of fighting between government forces and Shiite Houthi militiamen, the country’s information minister reported Tuesday that the rebel group had taken over the presidential palace.
The Houthi’s senior leader claimed that despite his group’s advances, no coup had occurred although he suggested one might be in the offing if the president doesn’t negotiate terms of a draft constitution in what would be a power-sharing agreement.
President Hadi’s whereabouts are unknown.
Washington is closely watching developments as Hadi is an ally who has allowed U.S. drone strikes against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in Yemen.
A power vacuum in Yemen, even though the Houthis also oppose the terrorist group, could fuel the further rise of AQAP, now considered al Qaeda’s most powerful affiliate.
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