Report: Shia Rebels Seize Control of Yemeni Capital Palace

The civil war in Yemen appears to have spiked dramatically Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Houthi rebels have seized control of the presidential palace in Yemen's capital, Sana'a.

If the report is true, it is significant not only as a matter of internal Yemini interest. Yemen is yet another playing field in the Middle East in which the Islamic Republic of Iran is testing its strength. Iran is understood to be a major supporter of the Houthi rebels, which is a Shia Muslim group.

The Yemini government is Sunni. The United States as well as Saudi Arabia have assisted the Yemeni government in countering Houthi forays.

The Houthis have long controlled the north of Yemen, but since the 2011 "Arab Spring," they have repeatedly pushed further and further south.

Al-Qaeda is also active in Yemen.