Having successfully defeated the government-backed Islamist factions in the far north of the country, the Shi’ite Houthis have marched on the capital city of Sanaa in force, and have pushed their way into the city itself.

The rebels attacked military checkpoints in the city, and their proximity to the airport forced them to suspend all flights for the next 24 hours, or longer if the security situation does not improve.

The Houthis have been threatening secession for the far north of the country for years, complaining that the government has been pushing Sunni Islamists to move into the region, and refusing to invest on infrastructure in the Shi’ite areas.

In their attacks on Sanaa’s northwestern suburbs, Yemen’s state television claims they were attacked by the rebels. There was no word of any casualties in the attack.