Yemen rebels call for protests a day after president resigns

Houthi Shiite Yemeni wearing army uniforms stand atop an armored vehicle, which was seized from the army during recent clashes, outside the house of Yemen's President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. Heavily armed Shiite rebels remain stationed outside the Yemeni president's house and the palace in Sanaa, despite a deal calling for their immediate withdrawal to end a violent standoff. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) Houthi Shiite Yemeni wearing army uniforms stand atop an armored vehicle, which was seized from the army during recent clashes, outside the house of Yemen's President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. Heavily armed Shiite rebels remain stationed outside the Yemeni president's house and the palace in Sanaa, despite a deal calling for their immediate withdrawal to end a violent standoff. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

By Associated Press January 23, 2015 1 min read

SANAA, Yemen (AP) – Yemen’s Shiite rebels have called on supporters to hold mass rallies, a day after the country’s embattled president and Cabinet resigned.

The Houthi rebels called for the demonstrations to be held Friday, while still surrounding the homes of the president and government ministers in the capital.

The Houthis have controlled Sanaa and other areas of the country since September. On Thursday, President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a U.S. ally, resigned after Houthi rebels held him captive in his own home.

The prime minister and his Cabinet also stepped down Thursday with Hadi.

Yemen’s parliament is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting Sunday over the resignations.