Houthis, Tribes Agree To Pull Out Of Central Yemen's Ibb

Yemen's Houthis and tribes late on Saturday reached a deal making it necessary for all militant groups to pull out of Ibb city in the central province of Ibb, an informed source said.



He said the deal was signed under the auspices of the governor of the central Yemeni province.



"The deal that was signed at the house of Ibb Governor Yehia al-Eriani makes it necessary for all Houthi and tribal militant groups to get out of Ibb city," the source told Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity.



He added that the deal also makes it necessary for Yemen's security men to take up the job of protecting the city from the inside instead of militias, while the Yemeni army would safeguard city entrances.



The source added that the agreement also guarantees the safe exit of all militant groups from the city, noting that the deal would be implemented starting from the morning on Sunday.



Around 25 people were killed across Ibb province on Friday and Saturday during clashes between Houthis and tribesmen.



Houthis have been making their presence noticeably felt in Ibb since Wednesday. They have set up checkpoints on the streets, facing no resistance from the authorities.



The Shiite Yemeni group has been controlling the Yemeni capital Sanaa since September 21, even as they signed an agreement with the Yemeni President to end their country's political stalemate a few hours earlier.



Since then Houthis have been trying to extend their control to other Yemeni provinces.



Yemen has been suffering turmoil since a popular uprising that erupted in 2011 toppled longstanding president Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2012.



Some Arab capitals accuse Iran of backing the ongoing Houthi insurgency in Yemen.



By Maarib al-Ward



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Sana