Yemen announces ceasefire in capital after 55 injured in clashes

A ceasefire deal was reached between the Yemeni government and Shiite Houthi group on Monday after clashes between presidential guards and Houthi fighters in the capital Sanaa left 55 people injured, the state-run television reported.

"Ceasefire between presidential guards and Houthi popular committees will enter into force as of 4:00 p.m. local time (1300GMT)," the state-run TV reported.

The decision was made by a presidential committee includes the defense and interior ministers, special security forces commander and president adviser Saleh al-Sammad, a member of the Houthi group.

The presidential committee started immediately its works to observe the implementation of the ceasefire.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard across the city on Monday while the presidential guards and Houthi fighters clashed near the presidential palace in southern Sanaa.

The Houthi fighters controlled al-Nahdayn mountain on Monday afternoon, which overlooks the presidential palace, an officer of the presidential guard told Xinhua on condition of anonymity, adding that the Houthis besieged the palace which President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi does not live in.

Meanwhile, an official at Hadi's office told Xinhua that the situation is under control.

He said that Houthis demanded modification of the draft constitution to "divide Yemen into two federal regions" instead of six regions.

Sporadic gunfire could be heard in the city after the ceasefire was announced.

Hundreds of residents were seen fleeing their homes in southern Sanaa. The Yemeni health ministry said in a statement that 55 people were confirmed injured and received treatment in the hospital.

The government has yet to identify causes behind the eruption of the clashes, but called Houthi fighters to calm down and resort to dialogue.

The Houthi-controlled media reported earlier that the clashes erupted after the presidential guards attacked two Houthi members near the presidential palace.

Security forces and intelligence agents have been on alert since last night, according to officials who spoke to Xinhua earlier.

Houthis, who demand more rights for the country's Zyadi Shiite Muslims, seized Sanaa in September and advanced into central and western parts of the country where Sunni Muslims predominate.

Fresh clashes erupted in Sanaa after the director of the Yemeni presidential office, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, was kidnapped by the Houthis two days ago, in a wrangle over the country's draft constitution.

An official at Hadi's office told Xinhua that Hadi asked the Houthi group during the meeting to release bin Mubarak.

The Houthi group said in a statement yesterday that the arrest of bin Mubarak was a necessary step to prevent influential parties from approving the draft constitution.

According to the draft constitution, Yemen will be divided into six federal regions. However, the Houthi group demands that the country be divided into only two regions.

Houthis seized control of Sanaa on Sept. 21, 2014 as they have been expanding from their far north bastion in Saada province towards the southern provinces. Endit