Turkey expresses concern over Huthi takeover in Yemen

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Yemenis rally in the city of Ibb, 190 kms southwest of Sanaa, against the Shiite Huthi militia on February 7, 2015, after the militia dissolved parliament and created a "presidential council". AFP PHOTO / STR

Turkey expressed its deep concern Feb. 7 over recent developments in Yemen where the Huthi militant group seized power in the volatile country and dissolved the parliament.

"We are deeply concerned with the seizure of government in Yemen by Houthi movement through the unilaterally formed 'revolutionary council'," a foreign ministry statement said.

Yemen's Shiite Huthi militants announced Feb. 6 that they were establishing a transitional council of their own to replace the parliament for a two-year period. The move came at a time when UN-brokered negotiations were being carried out in the country.

Earlier Feb. 6, Turkey called on its citizens in Yemen to leave the turmoil-hit country.

Fractious Yemen has remained in the throes of turmoil since autocratic President Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in 2012 following a months-long popular uprising against his 33-year rule.

The Huthis, emerging as a formidable political and military force in Yemen, took control of Sanaa last September and forced President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to step down.

Foreign ministry urged rival parties to go on with the talks that seek an interim government to run the country.