Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized the presidential palace in the capital, kidnapping the Chief of Staff, after fighting for more representation in government. Officials are negotiating with the rebels for a peace deal but the instability raises concerns that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an al Qaeda affiliate linked to terrorist attacks, could gain more power during the power vacuum caused by the unrest.

1. • Yemen is a critical US/Western ally in the Middle East.
• The Houthis are a Shia minority with ties to Hezbollah and Iran.
• AQAP is al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
• Houthi rebels are fighting for more representation in gov’t.
• They took over the capital and kidnapped the Chief of Staff.
• Officials are negotiating with the rebels for a peace deal.
• The instability raises concerns about a power vacuum.
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Rebels seize presidential palace, kidnap official
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• AQAP could gain more power during this unrest.
• AQAP is linked to the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris.