SANAA: Shiite militiamen behind a power grab fired live rounds to disperse thousands of protesters in central Yemen Saturday, as security fears prompted more foreign governments to close their embassies in Sanaa.

Home to Al-Qaeda’s deadliest branch and a key US ally in the fight against the group, Yemen has descended into chaos since the militia, known as Houthis, seized Sanaa in September.

Matters worsened last week when they ousted the government.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that Yemen is falling apart and called for Western-backed President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who resigned last month in protest at growing unrest sparked by the Houthis, to be restored to power.

In the city of Ibb, which the militia have held since last year, protesters chanted: “Houthi, Iran: Yemen is not Lebanon!”, in reference to predominantly Iran’s alleged support for the militia.

They also shouted slogans against Russia, which is thought to be reluctant to take a hard line against the Houthis at the UN Security Council. Witnesses said the Houthis fired warning shots to disperse the protest, wounding at least six people.

Similar demonstrations took place in Dhammar city which is also under Houthi control, and the southern city of Daleh, where protesters demanded political parties end their UN-brokered talks with the militia in Sanaa.

In the capital, hundreds protested describing the militia as “gangs that could not build a state.”

Meanwhile, the family of demonstrator Saleh Awadh al-Bashiri, detained by the Houthis Wednesday at a protest against their takeover said he had died from torture wounds suffered in captivity.

Another two protesters who were held with him have also been hospitalised after they were found wounded and left on a street.

The families posted pictures on social media they said were of their sons showing parts of their bodies bruised and swollen from beatings.

On Sunday, the Houthis announced a ban on all demonstrations against them unless they are authorised by the Interior Ministry, which itself is now under their control.