Yemen Army Chiefs Sacked after Rebel Advances


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Yemen's president, Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, sacked the military chiefs of two regions following sweeping advances by rebels and a surge in al-Qaeda attacks, state media reported.

Mohammed al-Makdishi, a major general, was sacked from his command in the northern city of Amran.

Hadi also sacked Mohammed al-Somali, a brigadier-general who commanded the southeastern Hadramawt province, where al-Qaeda fighters are active.

The capture of Amran by Houthis, just 50km north of Sanaa, threatened a federalisation plan that was agreed in February following national talks as part of a political transition.

Houthi rebels agreed to pull out from the city on Saturday after striking a deal with the defence ministry allowing troops back into Amran, AFP reported.