Al Houthis blockmain roads in escalation of fuel protests
Security forces cordon off streets leading to government headquarters
Dozens of supporters of a rebel group demanding the reinstatement of fuel subsidies blockedmajor roadways in Yemen’s capital Sana’a yesterday in an escalation of their standoff with the government.
Supporters of the group, known as Al Houthis, brandished arms and batons while using tyres and cement blocks to divert traffic frommain roads, including a boulevard that leads to government buildings and state institutions. Government tanks were positioned in front of the parliament and TV buildings.
The disruption of traffic comes a day after Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi dismissed the Cabinet and announced a reduction of fuel prices in an attempt to resolve the crisis.
Cut in prices today
Al Houthis waged a six- year insurgency that officially ended in 2010. The following year, an Arab Spring- inspired uprising shook the country, eventually forcing President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down as part of a US- backed deal giving him immunity from prosecution.
The government has pledged that a 30 per cent reduction in the fuel price hikes will take effect today, its spokesman Rajeh Badi said.
Demonstrators chanted slogans rejecting the presidential offer and called for more protests. “Escalate! Escalate! We reject the initiative,” read a banner carried by protesters. “The peoplewant to topple corruption,” they chanted.
Theprotestersclearedtheroad after a blockade that lastedmore than three hours, an AFP correspondent said. Security forces had cordoned off roads leading to the government headquarters. No confrontations were reported but some residents complained about disruptions.