Sa’adah scholars plead:Enough bloodshed! [Archives:2004/751/Front Page]
July 1 2004
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A number of prominent scholars in Sa'adah governorate released a statement last week in which they pleaded with President Saleh to prevent more bloodshed by stopping military forces in Sa'adah from attacking Shi'ite cleric Hussein al-Hothi and his followers. They also demanded action to lift the siege of citizens of the area and help the area recover from the devastating impact that resulted from the use of military power to crush the hideouts of the cleric.
“After extensive discussions, consultations, and after realizing the horrendous conditions that resulted from the ongoing confrontations in Sa'adah, we, the scholars and clerics who signed this statement, have come to conclude that all this bloodshed, destruction of homes, and assaults on people are truly regrettable and fill us with sorrow.”
The clerics also denied earlier reports published in the local media that they agreed on the use of force against al-Hothi. “We have found that the first and sole reason for sending this military might to Sa'adah is the call for hostility to the USA and Israel, and all the military assaults talking place in those areas have never been approved or legitimized by us.” the said.
“President Ali Abdullah Saleh must stop the military assault and lift the siege We call upon all members of our nation to unify their words and stance so as not to be a prey to its enemies who had declared a crusade against us.” the statement concluded.
Al-Hothi aide killed
Meanwhile, official sources confirmed that Yemeni forces killed the deputy leader of an anti-U.S. rebel group on Tuesday after talks to persuade them to surrender failed.
Zaid bin Ali al-Hothi was deputy commander of “The Believing Youth”, whose leader Hussein al-Hothi and supporters have clashed with police in a mountainous area in northern Yemen since last week.
At least 51 supporters of Shi'ite cleric Hussein al-Hothi have been killed by government troops besieging them in Sa'adah province since June 20. More than 50 have been arrested.
The number of casualties however varied according to source as al-Hothi sources put the death toll from the clashes at about 200. Security sources say seven policemen have also died and five have been wounded.
Meanwhile, a prominent and leading member of the Zaidi sect said that there are certain elements within the country eager to cause unrest and clashes between the different religions factions in the country. The figure, who asked to remain anonymous, accused the government of attempting to sabotage any negotiations. “I believe the situation could worsen and spread to other parts of the country if the government insists on using the strategy of excessive force against a respected figure such as al-Hothi.” he said.
“I believe this is only an attempt to divert the public's attention from other more important issues such as reforms, the inheritance of power, etc.” he stressed.
“Firm & swift” action
The cabinet in its weekly meeting on Tuesday stressed the need for a “firm and swift” crackdown on the group.
“These acts of strife are acts of war and terrorism,” the cabinet said in a statement carried on Saba.
Yemeni authorities believe al-Hothi, a leader of the Zaidi Shi'ite sect, also heads the rebel group which has staged violent protests against the United States and Israel.
The government has accused al-Hothi of setting up and training militia in secret and attacking mosques and preachers in Sa'adah, 240 km (150 miles) north of the capital, Sanaa.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is high in the region over the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some clerics in Yemen preach hatred of America and the West.
Yemen is also fighting to root out militants linked Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda group. Al-Hothi has not been accused of links to al Qaeda.
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