Yemen's Houthis protest against Saudi 'interference'

Dozens of supporters of Shiite Houthi group demonstrated on Sunday outside the Saudi embassy in Sanaa to demand the Gulf monarchy “not to interfere” in Yemen’s affairs.

Protesters also demanded the release of Yemeni prisoners in Saudi prisons, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.

Houthi supporters also shouted slogans objecting to a plan to break up Yemen into a federation of six regions, which had been the outcome of a Gulf-sponsored National Dialogue Conference held last year.

The protest comes amid ongoing tension in Yemen following the resignation of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah 11 days ago under pressure from the Houthis who seized capital Sanaa in September.

The Houthis emerged as a formidable political and military force after taking control of the capital before moving on to establish control over other parts of the country.

The rise of the Houthis has pitted the Shia group against local Sunni tribes and Al-Qaeda, the latter of which is said to remain active in the country.