SANAA, Yemen -- Yemen's Shiite rebels pressed ahead on Wednesday with their power grab in the capital, Sanaa, capturing a military base housing ballistic missiles that overlooks the city and posting guards outside the president's home, a day after raiding the presidential palace.
The Houthi rebels, who are trying to carve a greater share of power for their group, also issued fresh demands Wednesday, asking for the post of vice-president and several key government offices.
The developments further erode the standing of U.S.-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who was unharmed during the shelling of his neighbourhood Tuesday and remained inside his house. The embattled Hadi appears to have run out of options amid the Houthis' blitz, which has raised uncertainty over who is in control in Yemen and also concerns that al Qaeda's Yemen branch could profit from the power vacuum.
Early Wednesday, the Houthis seized the country's largest missile base on a hilltop above Sanaa, consolidating their grip over the city, which they seized in September after spreading out from their strongholds in the north.
Military officials said there was no resistance as the Houthis took the base, which houses the missiles, in western Sanaa. The rebels simply asked the commanders to hand over control of the base, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.
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