Saleh mandates scholars to negotiate with Houthis as war flares [Archives:2007/1051/Front Page]

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May 17 2007

Mohammed bin Sallam
SA'ADA, May 16 – President Ali Abdullah Saleh granted full authorization to Yemeni scholars on Tuesday to avoid what he describes as “sedition” resulting in continued fighting between government forces and Houthi loyalists in the northern governorate of Sa'ada.

Speaking at the launch of the Yemeni scholars' general conference, Saleh noted that he “fully delegate[s] the conference to work to avoid sedition and stop the bloodshed.”

He further reviewed government measures employed in an effort to prevent the third Sa'ada war, which negotiations stumbled prior to its eruption. He requested the scholars look into Houthi demands and see if they approve them.

“We delegate you, so go to those elements and ask them what they want,” Saleh said addressing the scholars, adding, “There's no obstacle before Houthis if they want to form a political party or a newspaper to express themselves; however, they should act according to Yemeni law and constitution.”

The president went on to say that Houthis could even enter the Republican Palace – via the ballot boxes – if they wish.

He also spoke at length about accusations directed at his regime regarding supporting one sect against another. “They [Houthis] accuse us of supporting Wahhabis against Houthis, Houthis against Wahhabis or supporting Sulfis to create a mess and sedition among the Yemeni people,” Saleh said.

He noted that Yemenis are equal in rights and duties and that there's no superiority of Hashimi over Alawi or Qahtani over Adnani, stressing that they are one nation.

“Read what you like! Read Zaidi, Shaf'ai or Hanbali books – we don't have a problem with that. We aren't against Shi'ites or any sect and we don't want sedition ignited in Yemen for small and silly details,” he insisted.

For his part, Speaker of Parliament Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar delivered a speech calling on the scholars to work to find a solution to the Sa'ada crisis, prompting the government and President Saleh to respond to the scholars' handling of the crisis.

Al-Ahmar requested a powerful and proper solution to the crisis, maintaining that Yemenis will observe their handling of it. “You were silent in the past, but we should favor no one, whether state or destroyers. Scholars have more duties to perform than the state,” he declared.

Last week, Al-Ahmar called on Sa'ada sheikhs to stand against Houthis, an act arousing irritation among many sheikhs who viewed it as Hashidi interference in their business.

In a statement distributed to media outlets, Sa'ada locals welcomed President Saleh's proposal regarding allowing scholars of different religious sects to intervene and seek a solution to the situation.

“In this critical moment, we call on all of the governorate's sons and other parties to work to make this call for dialogue and a peaceful solution a success,” the statement indicated.

However, in their statement, the locals stressed the importance that scholars authorized to resolve the issue should preserve the terms of fraternity and peace, together with preventing more bloodshed and sacrilege of honor.

They further warned about using such scholars' opinions as a pretext to continue a sectarian war wished by Yemen's enemies, repeating their call to halt the war and give all concerned parties the chance to dialogue in an atmosphere of tolerance apart from weapons and hatred.

Regarding the confrontations, tribal sources from Sa'ada assure that Houthis currently still hold four Sa'ada districts and are fighting Yemeni army forces in the 11 other districts using guerrilla warfare tactics.

“The most violent battles have been fought since last Sunday evening on the outskirts of and several zones in Dhahian city, located some 8 km. north of Sa'ada. Such fighting is accompanied by air raids and missile and mortar attacks,” sources report.

They add that the Yemeni army has reinforced its existing units on Dhahian fronts with dozens of modern tanks in an attempt to deliver a knockout and penetrate the city before celebrating the 17th anniversary of Yemeni reunification, which will be staged in the city of Ibb, located some 190 km. south of the capital of Sana'a.

On Monday at midnight, the Yemeni army began a wide offensive on southern fronts in Bani Mu'ath, Nashour, Al-Saifi and other areas, with sources mentioning that they're attempting to seize Al-Saifi village and Al-Zaila'i zone in Dhahian city; however, they face fierce resistance there.

Violent confrontations also have continued since Monday in Al-Mudawarah, Al-Samma, Al-Shalil, Al-Hamra and Magz districts.

The same sources reveal that the Sa'ada-based Al-Sallam and Al-Jumhury hospitals are overflowing with the bodies of dead soldiers and those injured in battles waged on the southern fronts.

They add that military transport planes and helicopters are transferring the injured and bodies of dead soldiers to hospitals in Sana'a and Hodeidah, while dozens of bodies remain on war fields because ambulance teams are unable to reach them.

Last week, the Yemeni army withdrew from Al-Saifi, Al-Talh and Al Mazru', which officials described as a tactic; however, it's become clear that it was done in preparation for the Dhahian battle.

On the western front, army forces managed to restore Al-Nadhir city, but failed to do so in Al-Qal'ah city, the capital of Razih district, the main objective of fighting on that front.

The reaction of Sa'ada sheikhs to Sheikh Al-Ahmar's call to fight Houthis in the governorate continue, with Marib Press publishing a letter of response written by one such sheikh.

“With links of tribe and fraternity, we call on you to remove the state armies and their pro-tribal soldiers from us because they've been tormenting us for four consecutive years and they are a key reason for expanding the volume of the war,” the sheikh's letter indicated.

He asked Sheikh Al-Ahmar, “What will your reaction be if the army and its tribal supporters bedevil the breadth and length of Hashed for more than four years for no plain reasons known to you or others?”

The sheikh's letter added that the authority's claim regarding what it describes as “a group of adolescents [Houthi followers] who will turn back the wheels of history” is baseless, especially when those adolescents have no capability to overthrow the regime and are hunted everywhere.

In conclusion, the letter stated that “No one has the power to bring down the revolution and the republic except the one who holds the army, authority, wealth and media in his hands. He's the only one who's walking the same path and preparing for the same purpose.”

Sheikh Al-Ahmar sent a May 2 letter to tribal sheikhs in Sa'ada asking them to join the Yemeni army in its fight against Houthis, a surprising stance to observers, particularly as it came prior to his return from Saudi Arabia where he had been receiving medical treatment for three months.

Various media outlets noted that the letter was written at President Saleh's request. Observers consider it a government attempt to cover up its army's failure to defeat Houthis by seeking the help of tribesmen.
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