Yemen on brink of civil war

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis

Confrontation between Shiite rebels, supporters of the movement Ansar Allah (Houthi), and the government armed forces faithful to the Yemeni president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi recently escalated. Photo: A tank belonging to the Yemeni armed forces

On March 23 it became known that Houthi moved armed fighters to the city of Taiz, they took control of the day before. Photo: Yemeni protesters clashing with Houthi militiamen during a protest against the Houthi takeover of several state facilities in the central city of Taiz, Yemen, 22 March 2015

The clashes in Yemen come amid the activity of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group on the Arabian Peninsula and also the Islamic State. Photo: Houthi militia inspecting the scene of a suicide attack targeting the al-Hashahush mosque in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 March 2015

The IS gunmen claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on two mosques in Sana that killed more than 100 people

University students with posters bearing the portraits of victims of the recent suicide attacks, during an anti-terrorism rally in Sana’a, Yemen, 22 March 2015

In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah forced the president and the government to announce resignation. The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces. Photo: Members of the Houthi militia and soldiers loyal to the militia standing guard outside the presidential palace in Sanaa, Yemen

Currently, Mansur Hadi remains in the seaport city Aden, in southern Yemen. He continues de facto accomplishing the duties of the president and is recognized as the president at the international level. On March 19, Aden saw fierce clashes between the security forces and the rebels. Photo: Yemeni president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi

On March 20, the UN Security Council adopted a statement condemning the attack on the presidential palace. Photo: Houthi Shiite Yemenis chanting slogans during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen

The Council members expressed support for Mansur Hadi as the legitimate president of Yemen. Photo: Militiamen loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi riding on an army vehicle on a street in Aden, Yemen

Earlier UN Security Council extended for a year the sanctions against Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and two Houthi rebel commanders. The document calls on all the sides of the conflict to participate in the talks under the UN auspices. Photo: Houthi supporters with traditional Yemeni knives during a demonstration against alleged US and Saudi intervention in domestic Yemeni affairs, in Sanaa, Yemen