Houthis Capture Central Yemen's City

Yemen's Houthis had captured Al-Qa'idah, a city in the central province of Ibb, eyewitnesses said on Thursday.



According to witnesses, the Houthis had captured the city, the largest in Ibb, facing no resistance from policemen deployed there.



The Houthis had then deployed militant groups and set up checkpoints across the city in the total absence of security authorities, one of the eyewitnesses told The Anadolu Agency.



On Wednesday, Houthis captured As-Sayyani District, in Ibb as well, and the authorities showed no resistance either.



Ever since they captured the Yemeni capital Sanaa in late September, Houthis have been seeking to expand their control to other areas in Yemen, including the central province of Al-Bayda', where they have met staunch opposition from armed tribesmen and Al-Qaeda.



Houthis' growing power in Yemen has raised fears of sectarian tension in the poor Arab country, which has remained in turmoil since a popular uprising in 2011 ended the long rule of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh one year later.



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