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."