Houthi militants take over Yemeni city

Sanaa, Oct 15 (IANS/EFE) Houthi Shia rebels seized control of the central Yemeni city of Eb Wednesday, in their latest advances aimed at extending their influence in the northern areas of the country, witnesses told Efe news agency.

Followers of the organization also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God) deployed inside the city, located 125 miles to the south of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and set up checkpoints at government buildings.

They added that the militants did not encounter any resistance from the Yemeni army or security forces in the city of three million inhabitants.

The rebel movement has been advancing through the north of the country since its militias stormed Sanaa Sep 21. The Houthis are concentrated in the coastal city of al-Hodeida and its strategic Red Sea port, the country's second most important port after Aden.

Earlier Wednesday, 10 people were killed and many others were wounded in fierce fighting that have been going on since Tuesday between the Shia Houthi and Al Qaeda militias in the historic city of Rada in central Yemen.

A source told Efe that Yemeni soldiers in Rada were supporting the Shia Houthi militias in their fight against Al Qaeda members, who belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.

Houthi militias have managed to take control of two districts of the city and set up checkpoints in many streets, residents said.

Al Qaeda fighters are heading towards Rada from their stronghold in the nearby town of Qifa town, and the Houthis are sending in reinforcements from the town of Dhamar.

--IANS/EFE

ab/vd