SANAA, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - Yemen's Shiite Houthi movement, which seized control of much of the country's capital last week, has started to leave Sanaa, a RIA Novosti correspondent said Thursday.
The Houthi group made the decision after thousands of the Yemenis took to the streets demanding the rebels withdraw all armed forces from the city, free occupied government buildings and return seized property.
Despite the fact that the Shiite militants have reduced their presence in downtown Sanaa, the situation in several districts, especially the north of capital, remains tense. The rebels control the entrances to the city, occupy residential buildings, and use abandoned structures to store weapons and ammunition.
Shiite Houthi insurgents have been up in arms across Yemen since mid-August calling for the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and the resignation of the government. In September, the rebels took control over Sanaa, including administrative and military infrastructure.
