Lack of security, continued conflict between Houthis and army [Archives:2007/1071/Front Page]

By: Mohammed bin Sallam
SA'ADA, July 25 ) Tribal sources in Sa'ada revealed the region's security situation is troubling and Houthis have begun to trench in sites still under their control while the state army is redistributing its forces in strategic areas, considered a preparatory act of further attack on Houthis.

Media sources hinted that the Qatari mediation has suffered a setback and Qatar recalled its representatives after disputes among the committee members emerged. The sources added that Houthi field leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi in a letter sent to the Qatari delegation accused some committee members of being biased to the government.

Last Sunday, the Qatari News Agency quoted an official of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stating that his country recalled the Qatari delegation, hinting they were recalled for consultation and evaluation.

The Qatari delegation, formed from military officers, worked with a Yemeni committee for over a month in an effort to stop fighting and implement an agreement signed on June 16 under Qatari sponsorship.

Last June, Houthis announced their approval of a government proposal for a ceasefire to end a war that left thousands killed since 2004. The Yemeni Defense Ministry released a statement announcing that Qatar summoned its delegation after Houthis did not commit themselves to the agreement articles, in particular scheduling an evacuation from their positions as well as handing over their medium-sized arms. The statement assured that other committee members will continue their work even in the absence of the Qatari delegation.

According to a tribal source involved in mediation efforts, the situation is tense and people are afraid of war renewal, particularly because the Qatari delegation declined to clarify the reasons for which they abandoned their mediation efforts.

Voicing unhappiness with the departure of the Qatari mediation, hundreds of Sa'ada locals demonstrated on Sunday in front of the hotel in which the ceasefire committee members reside.

The demonstrators demanded the army and the pro-army tribal fighters to evacuate the houses of residents in Bani Muath and surrounding areas. They further asked for the sending of relief materials for displaced citizens whose circumstances have been overlooked since the committee embarked on its tasks.

Moreover, the demonstrators asked that the siege imposed on Haydan district by pro-government sheikhs be lifted due to attacks launched on Haydan citizens, particularly those sympathizing with Houthis.

Abdulamalik Al-Houthi earlier presented a schedule to the ceasefire committee for resolving issues in Haydan and Washhah, a district in Hajjah governorate in which battles between Houthi loyalists and pro-army tribal fighters who have been armed and recruited to attack Houthi elements have occurred.

According to the agreement, the army had to leave the houses of citizens after Houthi followers abandoned dozens of their positions. Earlier this month President Saleh directed army forces to evacuate 45 houses in Bani Muath, however, military field leaders have yet to comply.

Some Yemeni newspapers, which are affiliated with influential people and support continuation of the war in Sa'ada, attacked the Qatari delegation last week. Al-Shimo'a and Akhbar Al-Yaum in their Saturday issue described the role of the committee as “dubious” and “conspiratorial.”

Following Mareb's terrorist attack that killed eight Spaniards, President Saleh announced that those whose efforts in Sa'ada failed requested support of the Qatari mediation and Yemen accepted. Exposure of the Qatari mediation in the press might have caused the recent recall of their delegation.

Dignitary Saleh Habrah stated that 500 to 600 families are homeless and demanded human and charitable societies to provide these families with immediate relief. Habrah, who cooperates with the mediation committee, noted that the aid these families have received thus far is insufficient and hinted the most affected areas lie in Bani Muath, Dhahian, Al-Saifi, Al-Ja'maleh, Al-Mazro'a, Maran, and Khawlan, wherein the army is laying siege of 90 houses.

Habrah added that donated food is inadequate and unjustly distributed as some undeserving families received such donations while those really in need received nothing. Habrah presented a proposal to the ceasefire committee who in turn asked for a complete list of displaced people.

Parliament member Abdulkarim Hadban requested immediate relief for 70 families who were displaced by war in Razih district. In a press statement, Hadban asserted the families displaced in Razih have received no relief except for 70 wheat sacks and some food donations from a charitable society. He also pointed out that donations received thus far by families in the district are not enough, especially when the families are homeless and in need of shelter, medicine, and other life essentials.

President Saleh ordered Yemeni members of the ceasefire committee to remain in Sa'ada and continue their tasks, advising them to have more patience and use all possible means for ensuring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Saleh considered the task of the committee to be a national one especially when its goal is to save lives and achieve peace in Sa'ada, which has been a war zone for the past three years.

As for telecommunication, media sources mentioned this week land line service has been restored in Razih and some other areas including Sa'ada city after a complete disconnect during the first days of war, however, the service is still down in some areas and districts. Additionally, a curfew is still in effect in Sa'ada city.
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