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Armed with knives and batons, Shiite rebels violently disperse protesters in Yemen's capital

Associated Press
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Protesters chant slogans against Houthi Shiite rebels who hold the capital, Sanna, amid a power vacuum as they march on a street in Sanaa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. Some 20,000 marched Saturday across the capital, where demonstrators converged on the house of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who resigned Thursday along with his Cabinet. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

A woman raises her fist painted with Yemen's flag and Arabic writing that reads, "Yemen is safe," to protest against the Houthi Shiite rebels who hold the capital, Sanna, during a demonstration in Sanaa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. Some 20,000 marched Saturday across the capital, where demonstrators converged on the house of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who resigned Thursday along with his Cabinet. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

A protester holds a banner with Arabic writing that reads, "The coup does not build a country," protesting against Houthi Shiite rebels who hold the capital, Sanna, amid a power vacuum as they hold a demonstration in Sanaa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. Some 20,000 marched Saturday across the capital, where demonstrators converged on the house of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who resigned Thursday along with his Cabinet. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Shiite rebels armed with knives and batons have attacked and detained demonstrators trying to protest against them in Yemen's capital.

The Houthi rebels seized Sanaa in September and last week put the president, prime minister and top Cabinet members under house arrest.

On Monday, Houthi militiamen attacked protesters and journalists at Sanaa's Change Square. It wasn't clear how many people they detained, though witnesses said they saw rebels attack those gathered there.

Last week, the standoff in the capital grew violent and Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned as the country's president. His Cabinet also resigned, though parliament has yet to accept their resignations.

In the time since, demonstrations against the Houthis have grown across the country.