MOSCOW, December 8 (Sputnik) — Ahmed Ali al-Ashouel, the Yemeni armed forces chief of staff, was relieved of duty today, AFP reports.
Under a presidential decree, he was replaced by General Hussein Naji Hadi Khairan. The former chief of staff was moved to the lower chamber of Yemeni Parliament.
No explanation for this move was provided as of today, the agency notes.
According to Al Arabiya, al-Ashouel was dismissed as the withdrawal of Houthi rebels, previously brokered by the UN in September, appears to have been delayed.
Eight people were wounded on Monday by five explosions targeting the rebel positions in Sanaa suburbs, the Daily Mail reports. According to the defense ministry’s official website, two more explosive devices were defused, the newspaper adds.
The Houthis have become the main political force in Western-allied Yemen since capturing the capital in late September. Since then the rebels have been opposed by al-Qaeda and rival tribes.
