Global Geo-political Series: Houthi rebels kill ex-President and take over Yemeni capital

After the former President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his shift in position in favor of Saudi Arabia and its allies, he has been killed by his former ally, the Houthi rebels. Saleh's death has been confirmed, both by his own General People's Congress party and the Houthi-backed media. His death came after Saleh announced in a statement that Yemen had to be saved from the madness of the Houthi group. The rebel sources reported that Saleh, who led the country from 1978 until 2011, was ambushed while attempting to flee the capital towards the province of Marib. His car, which was also carrying the secretary-general of his party, Yasser al-Awadi, was allegedly first hit by an RPG, and then riddled with bullets as Saleh tried to escape on foot.

Saleh was deposed as part of the Arab Spring that swept through the region over six years ago. After which, he had formed an uneasy alliance with the Houthis against the Saudi-led coalition after war broke out in the country in 2014. But in the wake of a falling-out with the Houthis sparked by a dispute over control of a mosque in Sanaa on Wednesday, Saleh said that he was prepared to turn a "new page" with the Saudis, provided they lifted the debilitating blockade of the country.

Saudi Arabia, and its main ally in the Yemen war, United Arab Emirates were hoping that with Saleh changing sides, the years-long war would soon come to an end. However, not only that hope ends, the Houthi rebels have gained an upper hand in the war with the capture of capital Sanaa. According to several media reports, intense fighting is currently taking place in the capital.