Qat trees flare war in Sa’ada [Archives:2007/1083/Front Page]
By: Mohammed Bin Sallam
SA'ADA, September 5 — A number of people were killed and injured yesterday, Wednesday Sept 5, during the fighting taking place for three days in Al-Malaheet area located within Al-Dhaher district in Sa'ada governorate.
Fighting is taking place between Al-Malaheet locals and army forces because the army imposed money taxes on Qat farmers who are advocating Al-Houthi. The army forces picked up Qat trees and sold them for their own pocket.
Wednesday's injuries are a follow up to the Monday causalities when more than four were killed and six injured from the both sides. Army is taking a Health Unit in the area as a shelter, and base for their operations.
Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi insurgents in Sa'ada, cautioned the authority that “continuing to murder his loyalists” after killing one of them in Bani Mu'ath area at the hand of the army the last weekend, “will only casue more blood shed”. He also condemned the army's behavior against women and children accusing them of attacking homes and looting jewelry and valuables and threatening the locals.
He called this behavior “a disgrace”.
More detainees
The relatives of the 47 detainees including seven children in Al-Noussairayah prison in Hajja charged with Houthism, appealed to the general of the northwest area, the Major General Ali Muhsein Al-Ahmar to release their sons.
The message mentioned that its owners made a complaint to Ali Muhsein Al-Ahmar after their detainees were thrown into prison for six months. They are in miserable conditions and deprived from their relatives. They are tortured and offended.
The message confirmed the disability of local authority officials to take a decision to release the detainees, though all the officials said “these detainees have nothing to do with Al-Houthi and they are stopped for precautions only.”
According to local sources, the major general of the northwest area is the real ruler of three governorates, namely; Hajja, Sa'ada and Hodaidah. The local authority officials cannot adjudicate many issues including the detainees without referring to Ali Muhsein and hearing his viewpoint in this respect.
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