What You Need to Know About Yemen in 90 Seconds

A key in the fight against terror, Yemen is in crisis.

ByABC News
January 22, 2015, 6:50 PM

— -- A turbulent week in Yemen has drawn global attention after a Shiite tribal group known as the Houthis surrounded the presidential palace and occupied several major government buildings in the capital Sanaa.

A brokered deal between US-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the rebels fell apart today as nearly the entire administration resigned, including the prime minister, the cabinet and the president himself. The parliament refused to accept the resignations and is calling for a meeting, but it was unclear as of Thursday evening who is in charge.

Yemen is considered a key ally in the fight against terrorism, and the US has counted on the president and his government to help target al Qaeda. Washington fears a change in power could compromise the efforts to hunt down this very dangerous terrorist group.

Watch this ABC News Global Affairs original video to learn more about the conflict gripping Yemen.