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The Yemeni state has lost control over its territory. Al Qaeda-linked militants are seeking to consolidate control in south Yemen and al Houthi rebels have taken territory to the north.
The fighting to retake Zinjibar from al Qaeda-linked militants is ongoing. Yemeni troops are trying to regain control of al Wahda (Unity) Stadium, which is under militant control and had previously been used as an army supply base. Militants control a local hospital near Jaar and have staffed it with their own medical team. Over 60,000 people have been displaced from the area surrounding Zinjibar and Jaar.
Clashes continue in Taiz. There are reports that both tribal and military forces have deployed to Taiz, the control of which has been contested.
Tribesmen and al Houthi rebels are fighting in al Jawf governorate. The al Houthi rebels have also denounced the youth movement’s transitional council, warning that it could lead to “fighting and civil war.” The al Houthi rebels did not have a representative named to the council.
Protests continue throughout the country. Yemeni security forces fired live rounds to disperse anti-government demonstrators in the western port city of Hudaydah. President Ali Abdullah Saleh called for dialogue under the auspices of his vice president, Abdul Rab Mansour al Hadi.
A resolution to the political crisis in the capital will not end the fragmentation of the Yemeni state. The current situation has increased al Qaeda's operating space in Yemen.