SANAA: Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa on Saturday in the biggest protest yet against a militia takeover of the capital that has plunged the country into turmoil.

The demonstration came as regions in the formerly independent south stepped up their defiance after the Shia militiamen, who hail from Yemen’s northern highlands and are known as Huthis, tightened their grip on Sanaa.

Read: Yemen in turmoil as premier resigns

“Down, down with the Huthis’ rule,” chanted protesters who rallied following a call by the Rejection Movement — a group recently formed in provincial areas to challenge the militia.

Women and children joined angry young men on the streets, waving signs that called for “a real government” and burning portraits of the militia leader Abdulmalek al-Huthi.

Published in Dawn January 25th , 2015

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