Hadi's potential political allies

When Houthi forces, as well as military units allied to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, were on the verge of taking over his last refuge of Aden, the country's president Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi appeared to be a spent force.

However, the Saudi-led air strikes launched on 26 March now raises the possibility that Hadi still has a role in shaping the country's future. A number of important political players are gathering around him and consider him the legitimate president of the state.

Hadi represents the final legitimate institution in the country. - Afif al-Masni, Nassersists

Al-Araby al-Jadeed provides a run-down of the most improtant actors that might help support a Hadi revival.

Al-Rashad

An Islamic political party with a Salafi background that was established after the 2011 Youth Revolution in Yemen. The party participated in the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference and entered into armed clashes with the Houthis in Sadah by the end of 2014. The Secretary General Abdulwahab al-Humaiqani was sanctioned by the US Treasury department on terrorism related charges.

The Houthis have targeted al-Rashad's offices and the party leaders' residences. On 10 March, Houthi forces blew up al-Humaiqani's house after taking control of al-Bayda province, south east of Sanaa.

Nasserists

An Arab Nationalist political party that was established after the 1990 unification between North and South Yemen. The party participated in all of Yemen's parliamentary elections and currently have 3 seats in parliament.

Afif al-Masni – a member of the party executive committee said: "The constitutional legitimacy is for Hadi, as he represents the final legitimate institution in the country, while the other institutions have collapsed due to the Houthi coup. Houthis want all the power, and won't allow for partnership despite the verbal messages they send."

Islah

Islah is an Islamist political party that was established in 1990. Islah has participated in all parliamentary elections and currently has 55 seats. Islah had a number of cabinet seats after 2011, but was marginalized after the Houthi take-over of Sanaa. The party engaged in heavy clashes with the Houthi rebels but decided recently to pull out of the fight and accept less influence within the government.

National Salvation Committee

A committee established of a number of political parties, tribal leaders and youth activists. The Committee was established after the Houthis' constitutional declaration on 6 February, an attempt by the movement to formalise their takeover of the country. The Committee aims to stop the spread of the Houthi militias and is against the Houthis declaration.

Mohammed al-Saadi – a member of the high executive in the committee, has said: "Our support for Hadi is to ensure a smooth transition of power, and to prevent further escalation in the use of force. Hadi's presidency is the only legitimate power in the country right now and he should start exercising his duties to prevent the country from slipping into a civil war."