Houthi rebels set an ultimatum on Friday for Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to form a government in 10 days or face “other options”, raising the tension in a political standoff that has crippled the country.
Once a religious movement in the north seeking greater autonomy, the Houthis have in recent months become Yemen’s power-brokers and sent their militiamen into the west and center of the country, according to Reuters.
They captured the capital Sanaa on Sept. 21, following weeks of anti-government unrest.
A power-sharing accord was signed last month aimed at bringing the Houthis into government. When a new administration is nominated, the Houthis are meant to withdraw their forces from the city.
On Friday, Houthi leaders delivered a statement after a meeting of some 2,000 Houthi supporters in Sanaa. It threatened unspecified “other options” unless Hadi met the deadline.
“The president has 10 days as a final chance to form the government. Otherwise, our next meeting will be at the headquarters of decision-making,” said tribesman Daifallah Rassam, without elaborating.
