Al-Houthi supporters say election could become war [Archives:2006/977/Local News]
By:Yemen Times Staff
Sa'ada, Aug. 29 ) Government troops randomly and intensively fired upon Bedouin residents of Al-Salem area in Sa'ada governorate last Monday, according to local media reports.
The media statement by those calling themselves “Sons of Sa'ada” alleged that military forces stationed in the area's neighboring mountains had been firing at women, children and cattle since Monday afternoon.
Al-Salem area in Kattaf district is considered one of Badruddin Al-Houthi's strongholds under the leadership of Abdullah Ayedh Al-Razami. Army forces are massed in the mountains neighboring Al-Salem, which in past months has been the scene of fierce battles between government troops and Al-Houthi followers.
The area also has witnessed intermittent clashes between soldiers and Al-Houthi followers since fighting stopped and reconciliation was declared earlier this year.
The statement appealed to “every human conscience and all organizations defending human rights to quickly stop this war, which is leading to serious consequences.” It especially appealed to the Joint Meeting Parties, requesting they demand “ceasing the brutality against and killing of the sons of Sa'ada and pressuring the authorities to implement amnesty, which has been announced more than once.”
Three days ago, the local authority began sending military groups to Bani Salem area to provoke residents there in an attempt to drag Al-Houthi followers into new military confrontations. The statement deemed the action as a type of harassment and instigation, as well as a violation of what the two parties agreed. Additionally, such action indicates ill intentions against the commitment to reconciliation and calming hostilities.
Al-Houthi supporters warned that the authority might run from election to war if it feels competition is strong or they can't guarantee the election results.
Supporters want Al-Houthi's body
A human rights origination, calling it self “Citizen's Rights in Sa'ada” asked President Saleh to hand over Hussain Al-Houthi's corpse to his relatives.
They want Al-Houti's remains for a legitimate burial in a way that fits with the status he has among his followers.
The statement issued by the organization also requested the necessity for respecting soldiers human and legal rights. This treatment includes showing the fate of those lost as well as investigating Qazhah's imprisonment as well as other war crimes.
It also asked for pardoning for slain Al-Houthi's father, Badruddin Al-Houthi, who they say has been hunted by the army with the intension of killing him over the last two years.
They say the government paid no attention to his social and religious status among millions of Zaidi doctrine followers.
Additionally, the statement also asked for a just compensation for those whose houses destroyed during the war, an abolition of the judgments against Yahia Al-Dailmi and Mohammed Muftah and stopping trial of what is known to be Sana'a cell – those who worked alongside Al-Houthi. These measures, according to the organization, will assure the credibility of Saleh in dealing with the conflicts in Sa'ada.
——
[archive-e:977-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-08-31-p:ln]
