Houthi Fighters Take Yemen’s Presidential Palace, Shell President’s Residence

Yemen’s information minister says Shiite Houthi rebels are shelling the residence of the country’s president as they also swept into the presidential palace in the capital, Sanaa. Associated Press covered the story:

The minister, Nadia al-Sakkaf posted on her Twitter account on Tuesday said that President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi home in downtown Sanaa has come under “heavy shelling since 3:00 PM by armed forces positioned over rooftops facing his house.”

Hadi is believed to be inside the house.

The shelling is a dramatic escalation in the violence that has gripped Sanaa since Monday and which has been described as a coup.

Al-Sakkaf’s posting came as a Yemeni army commander said the rebels have also raided the presidential palace — where Hadis’ office is — and are looting its weapons depot.