The development indicates that the rebels, known as the Houthis, may be determined to carve out a mini-state within Yemen, taking advantage of the weakness of the central government and the disarray in the army and security forces.
The Houthis, who are widely believed to be supported by Iran, already control the provinces of Saada and Omran north of the capital.
On Tuesday, they pushed into the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, west of Sana’a, and the capital of a province with the same name, which they have besieged for days.." - AP
