SANAA, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- Fierce clashes broke out Monday between Houthi militiamen and presidential guards in Yemen's capital Sanaa.
Gunfire and explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace, an eyewitness told KUNA, adding that clashes also erupted near the house of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
No causalities have been reported so far.
Tensions between the Houthis and President Hadi have been running high in the capital since the abduction of latter's chief of staff Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak on Saturday by the Houthis, in a bid to make changes to a draft constitution he has been overseeing.
Spokesman for the Houthi movement said that some groups he described as members of the Islamic State are supporting the presidential guards in attacking fighters in Sanaa.
Many of streets in Sanaa were blocked and people didn't go to their work due to the large forces deployment of both Houthi militiamen and the presidential guards.
Some families started fleeing their homes to safer places inside and outside the capital. (end) az.hm