Thousands of Yemeni protesters marched on the residence of Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi to demand unification of army factions and the dismissal of relatives of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Hadi, who had been Saleh’s vice-president, was elected unopposed in February under a U.S.-backed power transition plan brokered by Yemen’s Gulf neighbours to end political upheaval.

Jamal Al Asbahi, protester, said, "We went out today to demand that President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi sack the remaining family members of former president Al Abdullah Saleh, for example, his son. We also demand the release of all detainees, or else protests will escalate during the month of Ramadan."

Adel Al Hazmi, protester, said, "We came out to deliver a letter to the President and Field Marshal Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. We defied the rain to demand the release of the detainees. We risked gunshots. Whatever the circumstances, we will press our demands."

The new president has vowed to unify the army, which is divided between pro-Saleh units and those loyal to a general who mutinied against the former president last year. Hadi has removed about 20 top commanders, including some of Saleh’s relatives.

But the new president’s drive to remove Saleh’s relatives and allies from power has faced stiff resistance. Meanwhile, Hadi has promised to work to bring home the thousands of internal refugees created by fighting between government troops, southern separatists, mutinous military units, and other factions.