ASSESSMENTS

The Cracks Begin to Widen in Yemen's Weakened Rebellion

Aug 25, 2017 | 09:00 GMT

Forces loyal to Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh (shown on poster) stand guard on Aug. 24 in Sabaeen Square in the capital, Sanaa.

Forces loyal to Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh (shown on poster) stand guard on Aug. 24 in Sabaeen Square in the capital, Sanaa. The rally comes amid reports of splits between Saleh and the country's Houthi rebels, who have been allied against the Saudi-backed government since 2014.

(MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The widening rift between the two major components of Yemen's opposition alliance could jeopardize the long-running rebellion. Strongly worded statements from the restive Houthi camp and from loyalists from the General People's Congress (GPC), headed by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, indicate that relations are at an all-time low. In the capital city of Sanaa, supporters of the GPC took to the streets Aug. 24 in a show of support for Yemen's ousted leader. Houthi-aligned media outlets advised against attending the rally, and there have already been reports of Houthis tearing down Saleh-affiliated signs. After a brief address made by Saleh himself, sporadic gunfire broke out, though the GPC claimed it was celebratory in nature....

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