Key Players In Yemen

President Mansour Hadi

Having formally assumed power three years ago, his support comes mainly from Sunni tribes in the south, ties to parts of the military and some militia groups.

Ali Abdullah Saleh

The former president is widely believed to be aligned with the Houthis against

Mr Hadi.

Houthis

Mainly from northern Yemen, and part of the Zaidi offshoot of Shia Islam.

Al-Qaeda (AQAP)

Seen by Western powers such as the US as one of the most dangerous branches of Al-Qaeda, They oppose both the Houthis and the government of Mr Hadi and have staged a number of attacks from their strongholds to the south and south east.

Sunni Tribes

Individual Sunni tribes also control their own parts of Yemen, opposed to the Shia Houthis. But there is no guarantee of support for Mr Hadi either.