Yemeni ex-president flees after house arrest

Yemen’s former President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who stepped down last month under pressure, fled the country’s capital of Sanaa Saturday after being under house arrest since January. 

{mosads}According to reports, Hadi traveled to his home city of Aden, in the southern part of the country. There were conflicting reports about whether he escaped or if it was a voluntary release by militias who control the region. 

The country has been in turmoil since last year when Houthi rebels entered Sanaa. Hadi resigned last month, along with his cabinet and the country’s prime minister. 

Some reports indicated the release was part of a deal with the Houthi rebels to form an interim legislative council, which was brokered by a United Nations mediator. 

The State Department last month advised all Americans to leave the country due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. It completely removed its diplomatic staff from the country last month as well.