Al-Hamra Mountain attacked [Archives:2006/964/Front Page]
By: Yemen Times Staff
SANA'A, July 16 – Press sources reported that Army forces located in the Kittaf Mountains bombarded Al-Hamra Mountain, where Al-Houthi followers exist. Sources also mentioned that the attack occurred last Wednesday, July 12, at 9.30 p.m.
According to Al-Shoura.net, Al-Houthi followers “considered the attack to be truce-breaching, but gave their assurances that they won't react to this breach and will abide by the truce.” They further requested political powers, security and organizations to intervene in order to stop the attacks and killings in Sa'ada.
In a June 28 letter to the Intercession Committee, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, son of scholar Badr Al-Dain Al-Houthi, called upon the committee to exert more efforts to spread peace, demonstrating the willingness of Al-Houthi followers to cooperate and dialogue with authorities. He gave further assurances that their attitudes will not change, despite the recent events.
In his letter, Al-Houthi said, “We want to clarify some issues and hurdles standing in the way of a peaceful solution. Some of these issues relate to asking us to come down from the mountains to our villages.” In this regard, Al-Houthi declared that they basically left their villages for the mountains, not to revolt but to save their lives, indicating, “We had no option of escaping war, just of going up to the mountains.”
He pointed out that no military action was taken against the state or armed forces; instead, they confined themselves to visiting markets in search of food and basic needs.
Al-Houthi indicated that houses escaping destruction were turned into military barracks, causing those still living in the villages to feel insecure. He also said soldiers and army officers residing in their villages are mobilized against the residents due to factional and religious mobilization against Zaidi doctrine followers, whom they regard as unbelievers and polytheists.
He added that military leaders turned donkey barns into prisons for citizens without any clear reasons, leading to more abuse and mistreatment.
Addressing a mediation committee, Al-Houthi said, “The situation in our areas are too bad and this is what is preventing us from returning to our homes.” He also pointed out that those who returned following President Ali Abdullah Saleh's amnesty law were subject to chasing and most were sent to jail. He added that they will return to their homes once there's the possibility of freedom and security.
Following receipt of the letter, the mediation committee supervising the truce between the government and Al-Houthi followers made an agreement to secure their return home, guaranteeing that they won't be chased or arrested by the army. However, there's no information regarding finalizing this agreement.
A campaign aimed at banning teaching Zaidi doctrine still is ongoing. The Chief of Security in Sa'ada phoned one such teacher, Ali Masaoud, to tell him to stop teaching in Al-Masaoud area. The mediation wasn't successful, but did lead to calming tensions there. Information indicates that the ban was made according to high-level directives. In this regard, Zaidi books were confiscated in an official campaign aimed at drying up Zaidi thought and heritage.
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