if president abd-rabbu mansour hadi is not on the ground. the ar annian peninsula -- arabian peninsula and i.s.i.s. will be stronger. when abd-rabbu mansour hadi goes back to yemen, he'd look like a puppet president and would struggle again considering he is was put into power in 2012 for two years, a transitional time period. it seems the international community wants president abd-rabbu mansour hadi to be an ally, but he'd come back to yemen that is sparse. he would come back to military bases destroyed and would have to start. >> let me stop you there. it's interesting that you said the international community wants president abd-rabbu mansour hadi to be reinstated. does yemen want president abd-rabbu mansour hadi to return as president. >> when president abd-rabbu mansour hadi came to power, a lot of yemeni people wanted him there. they wanted him led out of devastation and safety. in practice his government failed to deliver services. on several occasions he failed to deliver speeches. seems there's a lack of communication against presid

the houthis have arrested abd-rabbu mansour hadi's defence minister now. the houthis arrested we're going to explore the intersection of hardware and humanity and we are doing it in a unique way. abd-rabbu mansour hadi's military commander. it's over now. there's no need for the houthis to attack. the leaders are under houthi arrest >>> isn't this surprising because aden is where hardy has consolidated the power base at least. >> yes, his military commander are arrested by the houthis. the defence minister is under houthi control. abd-rabbu mansour hadi is now handless, he has no military wings to fight with. that's why he's on the run. aden is the houthis - if they take aden they can do that within minutes by air strikes. there's no need to enter aden. as we talk houthis have hundreds of fighters in aden according to a senior houthi commander that i spoke to an hour ago. there's no need for the houthis to enter aden they are there. as soon as they know the location of abd-rabbu mansour hadi, if they do not surrender, they'll use air strikes against him. th

the goal is to try to strengthen abd-rabbu mansour hadi's ability militarily to confront the houthis, and supporters of the toppled president abd-rabbu mansour hadi. >> it's interesting, we were speaking to an analyst, that the international community wants president abd-rabbu mansour hadi to be reinstated. to the yemenis want abd-rabbu mansour hadi as their leader? >> i think so. when i was in sanaa, i was there several times. i was talking to ordinarily yemenis, he's the one the elections have after the toppling of former president, and he won the majority of votes. they see him as legitimate leader for a transitional period and hope it will be peaceful and write a new constitution, hold new elections for the presidency, and parliament. the problem is that that period drags on. it went on for about two years. the national dialogue didn't take place, only after 10 months of delay. when everything was agreed on houthis and supporters within the camp back tracking on everything they agreed on he has legitimacy he was criticized for being week. in his defense he said "i didn't inherit a

the houthis can attack aden and get abd-rabbu mansour hadi within hours. i doubt they'd do that only because it's useless now, and abd-rabbu mansour hadi is powerless. forces numbering in the thousands were not able to secure the only air base. the houthis can attack abd-rabbu mansour hadi in aden through the air base within two minutes. the strikes would not take more than two minutes. abd-rabbu mansour hadi would not be able to use missiles to take the attack. it's over for abd-rabbu mansour hadi, and we expect negotiations or international intervention. >> we have the proposal for the talks in qatar on the table. obviously the situation is making the process of dialogue pressing. in the meantime i'm wondering what more do you know about the nature of the saudi forces on the border. what kind of troops and what kind of military materiale is there on the border with yemen? >> according to the houthi officials we talked to yesterday, that saudi arabia was moving militarily in two ways. number one on water, number two on land. saudi arabia was - is extending

god willing we'lla advantage death. >> president abd-rabbu mansour hadi and allies could be open for dialogue. not before recognising the group and abd-rabbu mansour hadi's presidency >>> the united nations security council voted to keep in place a ban on armed sales to libya. the resolution will allow the security council to consider individual requests for weapons purchased. the u.n. is concerned there's no way to control the flow of weapons into libya, and who purchased them. there was a concern, the growing preps of i.s.i.l. >>> nigerians are heading to the polls to choose a president and assembly leaders. jonathan goodluck is facing a challenge. after months of campaigning polls suggest the race is a dead heat. an explosion on election day has voters on high alert. it happened at a primary school in the south-east state. police diffused two bombs an hour later. no injuries have been reported. ynonne ndedge is in the capital. >> i'm at a polling station in national national provincial agency. hundreds have turned up to cast ballots. men and women have been asked to stand in separa

a lot of us thought this might in its own way work to all of a sudden house arrests, and abd-rabbu mansour hadi leaving, and as you say, the houthis are running sanaa, but don't know how to govern. and abd-rabbu mansour hadi is in aden, with no territory. someone described it has a firing squad. you have the former president sort of in a calition with the houthis, really playing their own power game, and they are all able to negate each other, but none of them are able to run the country. short answer - no one is running the country. >> the united states pulled out special forces and the diplomatic officers. >> yes. >> was that a good idea for the united states to leave - pull up stakes and leave after being heavily invested there. >> we have been heavily invested in yemen for decades. not just on counterterrorism issues. i will say it's unfortunate that we now have no eyes, no ears in yemen, in what is essentially still a political situation. and in a perfect world it would have been good if we could have left one or two of our diplomats behind. whether or not the special forces guys could ope

the united nations called for support for abd-rabbu mansour hadi. and for the u.n. secretary-general ban ki-moon says they want all parties to respect yemen said sovereignty. >> we support the statement of 22nd march, while supporting the legitimacy of the president of yennen calls on all parties and member states to train taking actions under mining yemen >>> christopher swift is a professor of security studies and joins us from washington d.c. it's centring that you say this is not a proxy war; that in fact it's a local civil war. however, you can't get away from the fact that houthis are backed by shia iran. >> what is driving the conflict against the government-led by president abd-rabbu mansour hadi is their entire to get a bit more of a drive. what is important to note is to the extent that we see it we are likely to miss out on other areas. >> you say that the houthis demand a better representation economic representation the houthis have been involved in the process, but rejected that particular process as well. ultimately, what do you really want. >> at thi

president said the assault will not stop until the houthis surrender. >> reporter: president abd-rabbu mansour hadi gets the political backing he gets. a rare moment of agreement amongst leaders curbing the rise of the shia houthi fighters. abd-rabbu mansour hadi is now talking tough. >> translation: i call on the operation to continue until the gang surrenders withdraw from occupied lands, leave military bases and lays down arms and returns weapons seized. >> reporter: leading the war against the houthis is saudi arabia. the country was forced to take action to protect yemen. they met with dialogue. we wish we didn't have to take the decision. we stress that the door is opened for all parties, those that want to maintain security and stability, to meet under the umbrella of the gc c. rejecting the coup against it and stop threats against regional countries. >> reporter: the saudis and gulf and arab states are nervous about the rise of iran. they fear iran's influence is creeping closer. close by way of iraq in the north, and houthis in the south. air strikes are now hitting engines on the other si

as the situation on the ground deteriorated as the abd-rabbu mansour hadi government has been forced to flee put in a position where it cannot mark a counterattack against antagonists, those loyal to former president salah, or the houthis, the saudis felt they needed to take some action to get the attention of the houthis and drive a negotiation. >> they certain have gotten the attention. we know that three houthi commanders have been killed in those air strikes. what is the goal of these air strikes. will the houthis be forced back to the negotiating table? will they continue to fight this coalition. >> you know this is not just a struggle between the saudis and the houthis. remember what the houthis are doing now needs to be understood in the context of a complicated political equation in yemen. the houthis, for the current reach depends on the support of the military meaning that they are - depending very much on the alliance of convenience with the former president salah. it's not clear how long this will continue. i suspect that some of their aims are divergent at this point. ag

start by talking about the whereabouts of president abd-rabbu mansour hadi. there are reports suggesting he may have left aden. >> unknown as of now. i talked to three of his senior aids. they do not know where president abd-rabbu mansour hadi is. he's on the run. and for security he will not announce that. only when he reaches a safe location. if he's in aden i upset no one with will find out he is there. one official told me he is expected to lead to a g.c.c. country by nightfall. as of nightfall it's unknown, and likely he'll head to riyadh by nightfall. >> tell us again where you are getting this information from, will you? >> i talked to three of his senior aids in aden right now who are with him last night. the preparations were undergoing last night, as well. especially after the houthis may expand - expansions towards an arab air parks that's when they started and when president abd-rabbu mansour hadi met with the defence minister and made him lead the battle himself. as a result, he was imprisoned. as soon as the diplomatic mission in the saudi arabia

leaders to voice support for abd-rabbu mansour hadi as the legitimate leader of yemen. they warned of conflicts for regional and global security and stability. >> let's talk to a political analyst and also the editor-in-chief of the yemen post. he joins us from the capital sanaa. what exactly do you think is a houthi strategy now. we know that they are moving south, they have taken tiaz the third largest city. are they heading towards aden. >> that's the reason they entered tiaz in the first place. it is strategic. number one. instead of the houthis attacking through the air from sanaa to aden, they can attack aiden through tees which is minutes away. it's very strat edge ike. before the air strikes take 30-40 minutes to reach aden. this is the houthis, and a quicker reaction when it wants to attack in a specific location in aden. so the escalation by the houthis is dramatic and shows they are serious and i expect the air strikes to continue over the next couple of days after the houthis have control of the airport as well as the intelligence headquarters in tiaz. >> so

it is to support president abd-rabbu mansour hadi. the u.s. said it's coordinating with saudi arabia providing intelligence and logistical support. saudi arabia says it's destroyed houthi air defenses and a control base in sanaa, and hit targets in the city of aden in yemen's south. caroline malone has the latest on the ground in yemen. >> reporter: a residential district was targeted by air strikes according to the houthi rebels. the tv said this is what is left of part of this distribute in sanaa. the houthi controlled channel says there has been civilian casualties, and showed scenes from the local hospital. >> translation: one of my children was killed another went out crying to the nab ours, but didn't come back. the rest of us are injured, and as you can see, in hospital. may god take revenge on them. we are muslim like them. why can't they leave us yemenis to sort out our own problems. >>> 100 planes were led in a military action. they have only targeted houthi militias, the houthis called for people to join protests against the militar

and he followed in the foot steps of abd-rabbu mansour hadi, who fled to aden from sanaa last month >>> as the conflict between abd-rabbu mansour hadi and the houthis continues, the fight for media is a new battle ground. this is yemen's official tv station. but since the houthis took out an ad, the focus shifted in favour of the houthis. it was open with the meetings and speeches of the militia leader and the revolutionary committees. after their coup the houthis controlled yemen tv the newsagency and the newspaper. here in the aden office, we continued to publish the material, we only do administrative work. >> the president is left with an option. aden tv is the only channel in southern yen. president abd-rabbu mansour hadi gave orders that it should be considered the official tv channel for the country. it's an enormous challenge for the staff. the tv station that was once the official channel of the former independent republic was left in limbo since the unification in yemen. it's been technically the case. last month the houthis cut off the transition of the satellite. >> they d

yemen's leader, abd rabbu mansour hadi sought refuge in re yad. in riyadh. rapid intervention in the region the secretary-general of the arab league has been tasked with the next month. two rival governments allied to armed factions are competing for power. and linked to this in the minds of arab leaders is the rise of the self-declared islamic state of iraq and the levant. or i.s.i.l. which is continuing to carry out armed campaigns in iraq and syria while threatening destabilization in a number of other states. most importantly though for arab leadership is to continue healing the divisions that emerged in the organization in recent years and restore unite ifunityif the common enemy i.s.i.l. is to be acquaint contained. >> syria's government has been in control of most of idlib city if taken it would be only the second syrian city in rebel hands. cannot be independently verified. nigeria's military says it's pushed boko haram out of the area of gwoza. yvonne ndege reports. >> capturing the boko haram strong hold of gwoza. >> several of the terrorists have

abd-rabbu mansour hadi. he has influence over the military and main tribes. gull states and the u.n. consider salah as the orchestrate yore of the chaos. he is calling for dialogue and released a statement through an aid. >> reporter: we propose the following initiative. stop the campaign coinciding with the hult of military movements. the dialogue should be moved to the u.a.e. or other locations. >> that call could be a little late. the houthis were involved with the national dialogue since 2012 and signed a u.n. backed peace and partnership deal. many accused them of backtracking on deal. ..the two areas will be the areas where the houthis focus on more today to ensure that these are strategic, rather areas remain under the control as long as the air strikes continue >>> that update from somali. let's bring in a former advisor to the yemeny prime minister joining me from london. thank you for joining us. what are you hearing as far as the fighting is concerned, the fact that the houthis are moving on saudi arabia. is it going as planned? >> i think the mome

god willing, we'lla venge for our dead. >> president abd-rabbu mansour hadi and his allies could be open for dialogue. not before the group recognises abd-rabbu mansour hadi's presidency. >> the government say they are open to dialogue with the houthis. >> we insist on the importance of dialogue we ask for it and still do. it has to be an equal grounds, it has to be under the legality of the president and the state, not the legality of the coups. militias discard everything in order to deliver yemen to the iranians. >> nigeria is heading to the poll to choose a president. the incumbent leader jonathan goodluck is facing a strong challenge. jonathan goodluck is running for his second full-term as nigeria's president. and serving as vice president in 2010. he came to power that year after the death of the president. a year later the presidential election was won. he's a christian from the group in the oil rich niger delta region. and his presidency has been compromised by attacks in the north. they killed hundreds of thousands in the north. from the all-progresses congress party, a retired

country, tiaz is a key target to the city aden in the south, which is where prime minister abd-rabbu mansour hadi has taken refuge. meanwhile at the united nations a mediator said it would be an illusion that houthi militia could take over the whole country, or that abd-rabbu mansour hadi could liberate the country. the houthi leader says it's aimed at islamic state of iraq and levant, who say they bombed two mosques on friday. in a sign of how much the security situation has deteriorated the united states withdrew all personnel including special forces from the country. >> reporter: tear gas, gunshots and anger on the streets of tiaz. protesters angry about forces arriving in their stay saying it surrounded the barracks of a local security area. >> translation: we refuse reject and denounce the militias. we will surround the barracks with our bodies until they leave. >> reporter: first the houthis overtook the capital of sanaa, forcing the president to flee to aden, now they are moving to the president. aden is a short distance from tiaz. president abd-rabbu mansour hadi has been trying to hold

. >> reporter: meanwhile president abd rabbu mansour hadi arrived for the arab summit. he will probably request more help from the arab leaders. the houthis took over the capital in october. the houthis say hadi is illetting. they want to form pooh presidential party then form elections. long time president of yemen ali abdalla saleh is considered the main orchestrator of the issues in yemen. but he released a statement through one of his aides. >> translator: we propose that the honest return to the negotiating table under the u.n. the dialogue should be moved to the uae or any other olympics. >> reporter: that -- or any other location. >> translator: that-- >> reporter: many accused the group of backtracking on the deals they signed. the houthis aren't showing many signs to be open to dialogue either. houthi controlled television is moving pictures celebrating what they say is downed coalition drone. they remained defiant. >> we tell the gulf nations and their treacherous nations that we will be coming after them. god willing we will avenge for our dead. >> reporter:

and i call the yemeni president abd-rabbu mansour hadi to address the gathering. >> translation: my brothers president abdul fatah al-sisi, the president of the arab republic of egypt. the president of the 26th annual summit of the league of arab states. my brothers rulers monarchs and presidents of the arab countries. secreties of league of arab states mr mehdemi, your royal highnesses and excellenceies. praise in eternal be to god almighty may god's peace be upon his prophet muhammad, his companions and followers. allow me at the beginning to extend gratitude and appreciation to our breathers in egypt - government and people - for hosting this summit warm reception, generous hospitality, meticulous hospitalisation. we extend all appreciation and gratitude to my brother, his royal highness and to the state of kuwait people and government for the efforts exerted concerted work during the previous presidency. in this respect i convey the same appreciation to this secretary-general and secretary-general. league of arab states for the efforts exerted towards developing the role of the league of

they also insist that abd rabbu mansour hadi is the legitimate mat leader. >> the move came after all other means to achieve a peaceful solution that includes independentendingthe houthi military coup. the action will continue until the houthi hand over their weapons. >> hadi has sacked ali abdalla saleh son. as envoy to united arab emirates. a day before saudis and its alays launched the attacks against yemen. reports suggest he is willing to turn against yemen if international sanctions against him are lifted. but the saudis no longer trust saleh. they accuse him of concluding with the houthis to destabilize yemen. hashem ahelbarra, al jazeera. >>> accusing people working for president goodluck jonathan's party of violence, in the oil producing river state of nigeria. yvonne ndege reports from abuja. >> reporter: well, river state is a very strategic state in these elections. it is a key battle ground state between the ruling party the people's democratic party and the opposition the all progressive congress. what voters are saying that many of the election materials failed to arriv

forces loyal to the former yemeni president, and those backing the counter president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, fought around the security forces base close to aiden's airport. abd-rabbu mansour hadi insists he is the legitimate leader and is trying to build a power base in aden >>> an international coalition fighting boko haram drove the armed group out of a town in in north-eastern nigeria. the area that borders niger was retaken from the group over the weekend. it 228 boko haram were reportedly killed. for from abuja. >> reporter: there has been reports about mainliour towns being captured by boko haram. it could mean the beginning of the end of the boko haram insurgency. according to the military various towns have been recaptured. like baga the scene of at least two massacres in which hundreds were killed. and now damask. two days ago a spokesperson tweeted that other areas are free. borno will soon be free. the three states in the north-east have been worse affected by the boko haram crisis. there has been misinformation and inaccuracy around the insurgency before. the military previousl

president abd rabbu mansour hadi fled house arrest in sanaa and is trying to establish the government in aden. saudi arabia's foreign minister says the standoff in yemen can be resolved peacefully, he won't see a political solution but says gulf countries will take the necessary steps if that doesn't happy. charlie angela has the story. >> residents are not going quietly, in return they're fired on and tear gassed. their city yemen's third largest was taken on sunday. with government buildings and its international airport now under houthi control. yemen is increaseingly divided by a north controlled by houthis and south ruled by president abd rabbu mansour hadi. holding back the houthi advance. >> translator: they are expanding in territory occupying airports and cities, attacking aden by planes. threatening and gathering their forces. we have expressed to the gulf cooperation council the united nations and the international community that this should be a no-fly zone. >> reporter: this is what a gcc force could look like. originally set up to respond to military forces from bahrain

will take necessary steps. >> translation: the legitimacy of yemen represented by general abd-rabbu mansour hadi. we hope it will be resolved peacefully. we are ready to respond to demands. >> >> reporter: either way, for those in the middle each day of fighting increases poverty >>> in libya, a field commander with the shoa council has been killed by forces. a main rebel commander fought president muammar gaddafi is forces in the 2011 revolution. >>> a fighter jet belonging to the dawn militia has reportedly been shot down. they backed the tripoli-based government that is not recognised by the u.n. or international community. it's not clear who or what brought the aircraft down. one pilot has been captured, another kill. >>> after the 2011 revolution ousting muammar gaddafi. the misrata brigades became powerful, seizing weapons to the main leader. they are the main force in the alliance that took over the capital. their support is key it a deal on a national unity government. zeina khodr reports from misrata. >> it has long been criticized for acting as an independent state. it has been accused

the president abd-rabbu mansour hadi has tried to rebuild a power base. >> people gathering to protest the arrive of houthis. >> a helicopter was a sign that pro-houthi sources may be close. they have tried to hang on to power since forced to fleet the capital. there are those that oppose the houthis, they are protesting against them. they will not fight the houthis. >> people travel the bombize that killed 137 on friday. the president appeared on television and said it was an attempt to push them into war. he needed to secure yemeni. >> the job as a president is to do that and invite powers and components including those that carried out the coup in order to agree and think it would help the arts. >> negotiations are in trouble. al jazeera learnt they they offered to host peace talks. >> that will lead to problems. we need to ask what are the results of talks in riyadh. who will implement them. >> reporter: with the talks on hold and the houthis on the move. the question is whether escalation is inevitable. >> earlier yemen expert explained what could happen next. >> you know god bles

yemen's former president accused the current government of destroying the company, saying abd-rabbu mansour hadi should go into exile. we have this report from aden. >> some describe this as the big come back for former president sala. sala these are his supporters marching in large numbers since coming under houthi control since september. here is what both sides have been denying all along, that they are allies. >> the posters of former president and his son, and the houthis, displayed side by side. protesters called on him to run for president. sala described the president who was forced out of power by the houthis, as a corrupt leader. insisted he should leave. >> the people cannot afford to eat or drink. you have gobbled up the views. brought the livelihood to a stand still. investment to a halt, and tourism too. is this what you call the modern civil state where universities and schools are. >> he was speaking to some of his supporters and his words provoked anger in the city. students at the university burned his pictures. the reaction to the statement as well. the president received dign

we join all the other members of the council, underscoring that president abd-rabbu mansour hadi is the legitimate authority and: we have more now. these yemenis have no idea who is running their country. they say their share of one thing. houthi rebels from the north seen entering the city of tiaz is not welcome. >> they want to drag us into war, and we refuse. >> with every hour war appears to be getting closer. the houthis reportedly took the airport. they say they are fighting for the rists all yemenis. they are heading to aden, where he fled after being held prisoner by the houthis for weeks. >> translation: i stress the following. the evacuation of all armed militia, and the withdrawal of gunmen from all armed cities. >> that's unlikely. the united states thinks so too. first, it shut down the embassy. now it's pulling the troops out of an air base in the south. this makes all the sense in the world. limiting number of proofs taking on the war or the fight. they don't want the forces caught in what may be a full-blown civil war. >> reporter: and what that could mean for the poores

for political gains. >>> abd-rabbu mansour hadi is using loi tribes to rebuild his power base. shia houthi fighters are in control. then there's al qaeda in the arabian peninsula, that has been act i-in the country. all sides filling the power vacuum and blame each other for the violence. >> he is obviously the one trying to gain from such violence all across the country. they can hold the world and push the country down a very steep slide towards anarchy and disaster. >> a quick resolution seems like a far cry as the death toll from friday's attack continues to grow >>> sources have told al jazeera that an al qaeda-linked group stormed the local administration compound in yemen. 21 soldiers have been killed interested between ties and aden. the u.s. pulled out its forces from an airbase in the same province. we'll bring in a political analyst, and the yemeni chief from the post. joining us from sanaa. let's talk about the houthi troops who are on the move to tiaz. what do you think that suggests. >> very simple. the easiest way to haden is through tiaz. there are two ways for

backs president abd-rabbu mansour hadi calling for a no-fly zone and military intervention, the u.s. wouldn't comment, urging a political solution to the crisis. one former intelligence official said direct intervention is unlikely. >> this is a situation analogous to what we have seen elsewhere, where parties on the ground who don't see the interest as being proxies to some foreign power, nonetheless will accept help where they can find it to sort things out internally within yemen >>> increasing instability and sectarian division hampering u.s. counterterrorism efforts in a volatile region >>> the sultan of imam returned after receiving eight months of medical treatment in germany. the state television showed him getting off a plane, appearing to be in good health. his long absence caused concern about the 74-year-old leader's well being, and he has no immediate heir >>> the israeli prime minister binyamin netanyahu has apologised to the country's arabs over comments made in the lead up to last week's election. opponents called the remarks race itch. binyamin netanyahu warned that

abd-rabbu mansour hadi is - it's shuttle diplomacy, between sanaa, trying to norro down the gap between president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, and the houthis, and the allies loyalists. the main point they are discussing or trying to reach an agreement on are the proposal to appoint a presidential council made up of a few people under the presidency of president hardy, and agree on the legislative structure of the - that will pave the way for a new constitution and elections in yemen. there's no progress in these points, and the parties are saying that the first thing that should be done is the houthis should withdrewaw from the government institutions accept the talks should be moved to another place, but there is a stalemate until this moment about these points >>> still to come in the newshour. vast wealth side by side poverty reported by niger's delta region and why some of china's political elite have been banned from this year's communist party gathering >>> all the action from the cricket world cup, as pakistan looks to get their campaign back on track. >>> a lawyer for fugitive edwar

president abd rabbu mansour hadi president of aden. the houthis also controlling the airport and other parts of the city of ta'izz. houthi leader says he will send fighters further south to aden where president hadi is taking refuge. if the standoff can be resolved, he said it can be resolved peacefully. but he will take the necessary steps. >> we are against iran's intervention in yemen because it doesn't help protect iran from any threat. it is actually an act of congregation. >> we're keen on protecting yemen's sovereignty. the legitimacy of president hadi alone. we are hopeful that the matter can be resolved peacefully. whatever need to support him we are ready to take the necessary measures if needed. >> institute here in london with me in the studio, when we have the foreign minister of saudi arabia saying no matter what president hadi asks we will give it to him if hadi says send us your jets, send us your soldiers, will he do that? >> yes absolutely. the situation is on the brink of civil war. president hadi is losing control o

and this is abd-rabbu mansour hadi's predecessor, he wants his job back. he's been accused of supporting a takeover in sana. here from george town is a professor. a complicated region. let's start off with the criticism levelled at the misty upham envoy. the houthis say that he is tick ticking sides with abd-rabbu mansour hadi do you think he's sympathizing with him. >> i think there are legitimate criticisms, that he's been too accommodating for the group that started in december 2014. he accommodateds moves, compromising and dealing, until we report that houthi demands are unrealistic. and now are in control of a major part of the capital and is too difficult to meet the demands. now they are refusing to talk and going further. >> you wonder why they'd talk if they have control of country and clearly they are not going to get what they want. what do you think is behind the call of going to riyadh. it's clear that houthis will not go there. >> unfortunately, they are facing a de facto division and a break between the north and the south, as a result of th

abd-rabbu mansour hadi escaped to haden. he maintained he was the legitimate president. a few days ago. president abd-rabbu mansour hadi called on the u.n. to back an intervention to stop the fighters. we are joined by a professor at george town. good to have you here. seems this was inevitable. >> yes. after the rejection of invitations invitations, things started to change or to take the other direction, which is unfortunately heading into the confrontation, and that - the rejection was accompanied by houthi expansion on the ground marching towards aden the last result for the president abd-rabbu mansour hadi. >> we know how important yemen is to its neighbours, do you think that saudi arabia outsmarted iran here. >> let's hope saudi arabia takes yemen, houthis are willing to challenge iran in yemen. any instability or chaos in yemen will direct things to saudi arabia. and iran there's a limit to what they can do in yemen, and saudi arabia understand that very well. there is iran's relation with the houthis. has publicly denied they are supporting the houthis. we starte

we'll see a prolong period of negotiations between president abd-rabbu mansour hadi so see if it can occur again. both sides are holding tonne strong positions. the league of arab states will probably encourage the neegss to occur some place in the region. it's a toss up at this point. no one really nose what will happen. >> residents in syria's rebel held districts have protested against a u.n. plan. both sides filed to agree on what the deal involved. zeina khodr reports from lebanon. >> this is what they were hoping to stop. but it has failed in syria's second largest city. barrel bombs killed hundreds of people. it continued to fall in populated areas in the rebel-controlled city. >> the barrel bomb - it's more than a million that used to live in the world areas. now there is 300,000. there was a time when dozens of people were flying every day. >> the syrian government said that it would stop aerial and artillery bombardment on the city if the rebels suspend mortar attacks on the city of aleppo. the opposition rejected that deal. >> it has been a difficult process. from the star

with that destroyed, president abd-rabbu mansour hadi would have no military to rule anywhere. no other yemeni president would have a military starting from zero. there should be a plan b. it should be public and we should know about it. it's important to stop the strikes. these strikes have been strong and are terrifying the people on the ground. >> you mentioned yemenis killing yemenis, boots on the ground from egypt or another country. who will fight for whom if that happens? >> that's the thing. they don't understand yemeni culture like yemeni said understand it. in the past egypt has sent troops in in the past. they got slaughtered. they don't know the geography of the place and don't understand how yemenis fight each other. the problem is if you are a yemeni, you could be the houthi one day, a southerner the next. a secessionist. you can wear several identities at the same time. it's about stabilizing the situation. i think the only way out is to involve everyone in a negotiation. >> we'll see if it comes to the table. >> yemeni political analyst from washington - thank y

general abd-rabbu mansour hadi. a muslim from the north. elections were held on 14th of february. postponed for a period of six weeks. the nigerian military claimed they would not be able to guarantee safe elections in northern nigeria, where the group boko haram operates in. and the military have been involved in an operation against boko haram, in which they were involved with cameroon chad and niger. the two main election issues are corruption, which is a run away issue in nigeria, and how to cut the security. >> coming up on the programme, a look at how some states are pushing back against same-sex marriage. the fine line of protecting against religious freedom. tonight on a deeper look. >> reporter: what you did was illegal and you broke the law. >> i did, i did break the law. >> how she became a wall street success, while living in the u.s. >>> also why firefight prers delayed getting so the scene of a deadly fire. join the conversation. >> join the conversation about issues around the world. is >>> welcome back. freedom of religion is one of the longest held american ideals

they also insist that president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, who has fled the country, is yemen's legitimate leader. abd-rabbu mansour hadi sacked ali abdullah saleh's son from his post as yemen's ambassador to the united arab emirates. this comes after the media reported that ali abdullah saleh was in riyadh a day before the allies launched the attack. the reports suggest the former yemeni president was willing to turn against the houthis if international sanctions against him are lifted. the saudis apparently no longer trust salah. they are accused of destabilizing the region >>> lots to talk about, let's bring in the deputy director of the brookings doha center. good to have you with us. yemen dominating the headlines and we were watching sharm el-sheikh. clarify the situation. we didn't hear in the final communique that endorsement of heads of state for the joint arab military force. is it endorsed is it enough that it was mentioned by the foreign ministers. where are we at that? >> that's a good question and observation. i think we have to distinguish between two matters. one is the wil

. >> reporter: abd-rabbu mansour hadi gets the political backing he wants. a rare moment of agreement against arab leaders to curb the rise of shia houthi fighters. abd-rabbu mansour hadi is talking tough. >> translation: i call on you until the gang screned. leave the state institutions and bagss. -- and bagss. >>> leading the war, he says his country was forced to take actions. he is open to dialogue. >> translation: we wish we didn't have to take the decision. we stress that riyadh has to open the door to all parties that want to maintain security and stability, meeting under the umbrella of the g.c.c. rejecting the coup against it and stopping threats against regional countries. >> the saudis and other gulf and narrow states are nervous about the rise of iran. they fear the influence is creeping closer. closer by way of iraq in the north and support for the houthis in the south. air strikes are hitting positions on the other side of that border. joined by artillery from the south-east sides. fighter jets on saturday struck multiple targets including comma

president abd rabbu mansour hadi escaped to the south. and it's in the south that most of the fighting is taking place right now. this is the kmer area and the tribes here say they are protecting their region against the rebels. saudi arabia has since entered to protect their neighbors. not just the shia or their own community. some people in the south don't believe them and are not taking any chances. these volunteers are grouping in large numbers to take on the houthis, with guns, tanks and ammunition. emiku molu, al jazeera. >> now al jazeera's roxana saberi takes a look. >> when president abd rabbu mansour hadi stepped down in january, it was a series of events set in motion by the arab spring. in early 2011 protesters, inspired by demonstrations in egypt and libya killed four body guards and badly injured saleh who was praying there. >> i have had more than one surgery, i have had about eight successful surgeries. they were for burns because of the attack. >> reporter: in november saleh stepped down paving the way for his deputy, had

the southern port of aden in their sights and this mean, the president, abd rabbu mansour hadi, has been in aden after fleeing house arrest in the pal. down south he's trying to establish a new government. it's proving difficult it's prfg very rocky. the security situation, united states and united kingdom pull out their military personnel.the united nations warns yemen is on the brink of a drawn-out civil war. the standoff in yemen can be resolved peacefully, he wants a political solution but he says gulf countries will do what is necessary, if that doesn't happen. charlie.angela has the laidest. >> this is a country on the brink of civil war but the residents of ta'izz are not going quietly. protesting the presence of houthi rebels, in return, they're fired on. international airport now under houthi control. yemen is increasingly divided between a north controlled by the houthis who allegedly backed by iran and a south dominated by supporters of out ousted president aliabd rabbu mansourhadi. >> we have expressed to the gulf council to the united nations as well as the international com

president abd-rabbu mansour hadi appeared on television and said the bombings were an attempt to push the country into a sectarian war, and needs to ensure the security of yemenis. >> my job as the president is to do that and to invite all the political powers and components including those who carry out the coup dettar in order to agree on certain things that will help a lot of the targets and bulls of our people. >> negotiations are in trouble. al jazeera learnt the u.n. envoy left the county. saudi arabia will host peace talks, but only to meetings in sanaa. >> translation: talks in riyadh will lead to problems. we need to ask what are the results of the talks in riyadh and who will implement the results >>> with talks on hold and the houthis on the move. the question is whether escalation is inevitable. increased fighting in libya is causing conflict. the libyan government launched a military campaign to reclaim tripoli from a rival administration. western leaders say the u.n. talks are the only way to end the chaos in libya, where two rival government and armed factions are battl

rival forces clash at international stlairpt and air strikes targeted president abd rabbu mansour hadi's compound. kim vanel has the latest. >> workers struggle to save the injured. their clothes covered with blood. this was the second suicide bombing in the space of a few minutes. the first attacker detonated outside, having been stopped by security. the second, took advantage of the confusion to cause maximum damage. that explosion was caught by those filming the fallout. >> translator: we were in the mosque during the sermon. we first heard an explosion outside near the security perimeter and then it became participant that when the first explosion happened they used the chaos and the vacuum to enter the mosque during the prayer and blow us up. >> reporter: it was one of two targeting sanaa mosques shia houthis. >> i really don't believe the i.s.i.l. propaganda, yemen doesn't have the ground for i.s.i.l. at least not yet. i think these attacks are politically motivated and whoever orchestrated it wanted them to believe it was i.s.i.l. to further political goals. >> using loyal tribes

they take the fight to abd-rabbu mansour hadi. the commander of the special forces. a houthi loyalists himself. it's directly linked to the houthi deputy commander in chief of the army. that is why he has escalated against hardi. >> i wanted to speak about - to you about him. the commander of the special forces he's been a security threat. he's been forced out. i believe. what do you hear about that? >> he is not being forced out. hardi wants him to leave. a decree was issued. he refused to be replaced only by orders of the interior minister. he is now a houthi. that is almost impossible. the idea now is he's linked and trying to cause chaos for hardi, ensuring that he remains handicapped, and though he had international support and legitimacy for being the president of the country. >> good talking to us. thank you >>> two australians convicted of drug trafficking in indonesia whether not be executed. the court postponed the appeal hearing for myuran sukamaran and andrew chan. the lawyers for the two men are asking the president to reconsider the application. they we

these are the results of what abd-rabbu mansour hadi has done. saudi arabia as offered to broker talks. will you accept that offer. will you take them up on that? . >> translation: the aim of this is to find another place for the talks. the aim it to put an end to the dialogue. that's why they consider it. they want a solution and use the influence to make the talks a success, and not to find another place. talks in sanaa will lead to more problems. we need to ask what is the result of talks in riyadh results in riyadh. who will implement the results in yemen, and the socialist party, and the congress. they refuse to have talks outside yemen >>> your action on the ground will put you on a collision course and the outside forces. >> we don't have any coalition with anyone. we don't have a coalition and everyone knows that most of the popular bases have soft point. always again, as to the brotherhood. they don't like them as much as they hate the brotherhood. the popular bases, within the revolution or after that they have turned into. these have a

. >> reporter: in the meantime, yemen's president abd rabbu mansour hadi appeared in at the arab summit. will probably seek more military and political support from the arabs. they stormed his presidential palace in january he resigned in protest and was put under house arrest. he then escaped to aden and retracted his resignation. the houthis say hadi is illegitimate mat. they want to form a provisional presidential party then hold elections. former long time president of yemen, ali abdalla saleh. consider saleh as the make orchestrator of the situation in yemen. he released a statement through one of his aides. >> translator: an honest return to the negotiating table under the u.n. the dialogue should be moved to the uae or any other location. >> that dialogue could come a little late. signed a u.n. backed peace and partnership deal on the same day they controlled sanaa. many accused the group of backtracking on the deals they've signed. the houthis aren't showing many signs of being open to dialogue either. houthi controlled television is running pictures celebrating what they say is

egypt until the houthis and the deposed president, ali abdullah saleh and they insist that abd rabbu mansour hadi be re placed back in the government. >> targeting missile locations. >> we're looking to track down the storage places of houthi mixes. moving the missiles to different locations, we'll continue to look and destroy them. we're basically targeting the houthi ammunition stores and vehicles. we have targeted them. we have attacked the locations of ammunition and supply stores used by the houthis. work is intensifying on the roads leading to aden to prevent military campaigns against the city. >> the u.s. secretary of state john kerry has told al jazeera foreign ministers are working very hard to reach an agreement with iran on its nuclear future. tuesday is the deadline for agreement. leaving the high level meetings and will only return if there's a chance of a deal actually being reached. our diplomatic editor james bays has the report from lausanne. >> reporter: the talks are in the most difficult leg. >> are things going well secretary kerry? >> we're working hard. very hard. >> tryin

president abd-rabbu mansour hadi received dignitaries and politicians who came to prove that the city is loyal to him, not the former president. a senior politician commented on the statements. >> translation: this man is confused if he thinks he's the president of yemen. he's forgotten the popular resolution. he thinks he can wield power, and because he has stolen huge funds from the national treasury. >> and these are more than supporters marching in the city west of sanaa, growing popular support in places like these, creating difficulties for the former president and the houthis this their attempt to overrun the country >>> syrian military dropped barrel bombs over the southern town. barrel bombs are crude containers packed with explosives. government forces airdropped them on to rebel held areas. >> still ahead on al jazeera, the national security agency faces a lawsuit over surveillance activities. and the new programme aimed at closing an area known as the golden triangle. >> i lived that character. >> go one on one with america's movers and shakers. >> we will be able to see c

convoy below was the sign this pro-houthi courses might be closer to a collision course with abd rabbu mansour hadi. since he was forced to flee the capital. ta'izz puts them on the course of least resistance to aden and to the president. >> they are not armed they are not al qaeda they won't protest against the houthis but they will not fight the houthis. so it is a big difference. >> reporter: as the people grapple with the mosk bombings that killed 140 on friday, he said, and he needs to ensure the security of yemenis. >> translator: my job as a president is to do that. and to invite all the political powers and components, including those who carried out the coup coup d'etat. >> reporter: al jazeera has learned the u.n. envoy has left the country. saudi arabia has offered to host peace talks. but houthis say they will only agree to talks in sanaa. >> translator: we need to ask what is the result of the talks in riyadh? who will implement these talks? >> reporter: the question is whether escalation is inevitable. natasha guinane, al jazeera. >>> the u.s. withdrawal from an air base comes after 2

. >> first the houthis overtook the capital of sanaa and are closing in on president abd-rabbu mansour hadi and his strong hold in aden. they called on the huey to halt the advance. the security council condemns the ongoing unilateral elections. it undermines the process in yemen. jeopardy sovereignty, deep concern by the implementation of resolution 22-01 >>> the u.n. council led by qatar, and the u.s. brokered a peace deal. a leader rejected the efforts. >> the security council usually supports the offender against the victim. it makes an evil conspiring and criminal hands in a dangerous situation. >> the security council left the door open to take further measures in face of non-implementation. they did not specify what they may be. so far no action despite diplomats here has halted or slowed the political crisis a crisis that is getting worse every day >>> we have a lot more to come at al jazeera, including a step to the right. french voters turn away. we report from paris. slowly the economy opens up. the ad man is finding new ways to make a buck. >> the new al jazeera america primetim