Fighting against al-Houthi insurgencyMore dead and wounded [Archives:2004/770/Front Page]
Mohammed bin Sallam
Fatal clashes have been taking place between military forces and sheikh Hussein Al-Houthi's followers for eighty days in areas in Sa'ada povince, 250 kilometers north of Sana'a.
There are no figures of the rising death toll among either fighters or civilians. Yet, rough estimates indicate that they reach thousands, let alone losses of property, which are difficult to assess especially amidst a media mystification.
Several religious, social and political figures tried last Friday to hold a sit-in at Al-Shawkani mosque following a call from cleric Mohammed Al-Mansour, and judge Hamoud Al-Moayad to press for a cessation of the war in Sa'ada, and to save the spilling of more blood.
The sit-in did not take place because sheikh Yahya Al-Daylami, preacher of the mosque, told the congregation that he had received threats from the ministries of defense and interior, and the Political Security, to shut down the mosque to foil the sit-in.
Secretary General of the Yemen Socialist Party (YSP) told people they could come to hold the sit-in at the headquarters of the YSP next Monday.
“Sit-ins are ways of peaceful expression of opinion, and this is ensured by constitution, laws, and international conventions,” he said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed in a statement to Al-Shura Weekly its concern about the miserable conditions in the embattled areas.
Mr. Roland, member of the ICRC in Sana'a, said that they had offered many times their services to the government, but were rejected.
“The committee is trying to follow up the humanitarian conditions, which is still unclear, including the conditions of refugees. It is difficult to estimate the reality without arriving in the area,” he said.
Several politicians, clerics and men of distinction have appealed directly to President Saleh to put an end to the war in Sa'ada to save blood, safeguard national unity, security and stability, as well as to avoid further harmful consequences of war.
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