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Yemeni prime minister resigns amid fighting

Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Saleh Basindwa resigned Sunday to make way for a truce between Shiite rebels and the Sunni-led government.

By Danielle Haynes

SANAA, Yemen, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Saleh Basindwa resigned Sunday amid fighting between Shiite Houthi rebels and the Sunni-led government.

The announcement comes ahead of a planned deal between the two factions, mediated by the United Nations to end deadly fighting.

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The Houthis, who adhere to the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam, are attempting to overthrow the Sunni-majority government which they regard as corrupt. An increase in fighting between the Houthis and Sunni tribesmen in September led to anti-government demonstrations and sit-ins in Sanaa, the capital, after government fuel subsidies were cut and fuel prices rose.

The Houthi fighters took over the defense ministry Sunday in the capital of Sanaa.

Basindwa said he would resign in order to pave way for the truce between the rebels and Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

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