Houthi rebels brought Yemen closer to civil war on Sunday, launching an offensive on the southern city of Taiz, The Wall Street Journal reports. Militants seized the international airport, key government buildings, and surrounded the residence of the city's governor.

Houthi insurgents leading a crusade against the Yemeni government attacked and captured the presidential palace and residence in Sanaa on Tuesday, with president Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi believed to be holed up in his home. The Zaydi Shiite group has said they do not intend to overthrow Hadi; to see their demands met, however, "all necessary measures will be open."

Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh traveled to Saudi Arabia on Saturday following an attack on his compound, leaving Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in control of the government. According to a spokesman, Saleh is in Saudi Arabia for "simple check-ups," but "western diplomatic sources" tell CNN that the president is undergoing neurosurgery and had suffered "severe burns to his face and chest." It's unclear what Saleh's departure means for the ongoing protests and clashes between government forces and opposition groups, but opposition leaders say they will not allow Saleh to return to the country. The attack on Saleh's compound was originally blamed on a "rebel tribe"; the Yemeni government now believes it may have been Al Qaeda. [CNN; image via AP]