Yemen rebel leader renews defiance on takeover anniversary
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The leader of Yemen's Shiite rebels has lashed out with a defiant speech on the eve of the third anniversary of the day his forces stormed into the capital.
In a speech aired on the rebel-run al-Masirah TV on Wednesday, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi slammed the Saudi-led coalition opposing his forces, who control large swaths of territory and took Sanaa on what they consider the "Sept. 21 revolution."
Al-Houthi accused the U.S., Saudi Arabia and the UAE of seeking to divide Yemen by working with local groups and the internationally recognized government to seize control of Houthi territory.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Saudi-led coalition has since 2015 waged a blistering air campaign against the Houthis and their allies, while enforcing an air and sea blockade of Yemen. Thousands of civilians have been killed in fighting.