By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti By — Ruth Tam Ruth Tam Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/yemen-president-resigns-pressure-shiite-rebels Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Yemen president resigns under pressure from Shiite rebels World Jan 22, 2015 1:48 PM EDT Yemen President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned his post to parliament on Thursday amid a standoff with Yemen’s Houthi movement. According to the Associated Press, Hadi, a U.S. ally against his country’s al-Qaida group, resigned after continued pressure to concede further political power to the Houthi — a movement of Shiite rebels — despite an earlier deal. On Wednesday, Hadi agreed to concessions giving Houthi more political power in exchange for the rebels withdrawing from his residences. However, on Thursday, the rebels were still surrounding the buildings. Hadi has been under confinement in the presidential palace since Tuesday after Houthi seized the official residence. The Shiite rebels occupied the capital in September. The resignation comes shortly after Yemen’s Prime Minister Khaled Baha offered the government’s resignation to Hadi, citing unwillingness to be entangled within “an unconstructive political maze.” Parliament speaker Yahia al-Rai will assume office. Al-Rai has close ties to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in 2012. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl By — Ruth Tam Ruth Tam Online Editorial Production Assistant at the PBS NewsHour. @ruthetam
Yemen President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned his post to parliament on Thursday amid a standoff with Yemen’s Houthi movement. According to the Associated Press, Hadi, a U.S. ally against his country’s al-Qaida group, resigned after continued pressure to concede further political power to the Houthi — a movement of Shiite rebels — despite an earlier deal. On Wednesday, Hadi agreed to concessions giving Houthi more political power in exchange for the rebels withdrawing from his residences. However, on Thursday, the rebels were still surrounding the buildings. Hadi has been under confinement in the presidential palace since Tuesday after Houthi seized the official residence. The Shiite rebels occupied the capital in September. The resignation comes shortly after Yemen’s Prime Minister Khaled Baha offered the government’s resignation to Hadi, citing unwillingness to be entangled within “an unconstructive political maze.” Parliament speaker Yahia al-Rai will assume office. Al-Rai has close ties to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in 2012. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now