Sana’a: Tribes in the Yemen’s central province of Mareb have reiterated warnings to Al Houthi rebels against approaching their territories as the rebels are clearing parts of the bordering Bayda province from Al Qaida militants.
Al Houthis rebels, also known as Ansar Allah or the Partisan of God, have radically altered the political landscape of the troubled Yemen when they gained control of Sana’a in September. The rebels expanded their influence into provinces and faced stiff resistance when they advanced into Al Qaida-controlled districts in Bayda province. Along with the restive south, Mareb is among a few provinces that have not been fully controlled by Al Houthis.
To intimidate Al Houthis, Mareb tribes arranged a military parade in the desert on Saturday in which dozens of heavily armed vehicles were displayed.
“We have conducted three military drills in the province. We trained our men on how to use different kinds of weapons,” Awadh Al Mouaili, a prominent tribal leader told Gulf News by telephone. “We are all set for Al Houthi incursion.”
Even when Yemen’s strong leader Ali Abdullah Saleh was in power, Mareb province had been out of the state’s control for decades and was replaced by its rebellious tribes that often engage in deadly clashes with each other.
The province has a wealth of oil and gas. Yemen’s biggest power station is stationed in the province. But these facilities have been frequently attacked by tribesmen who demand jobs or freeing jailed relatives. Both the government and the tribesmen have failed to halt attacks. Al Houthis vowed to invade the province to protect electricity tower and gas and oil pipelines from attacks.
“Al Houthis are illegitimate invading militias. If we allowed those militias to overrun our areas, then we should not prevent other militias in the country from doing so.” Al Mouaili said.
At the same time, Al Houthis said that they still think of sending troops to the province to end the anarchy if the army asked for their help.
“We have received pledges from the army in the province that they would take charge of the province and would not allow Al Qaida fighters to overrun Mareb,” Ali Al Gohoum, Al Houthis spokesperson, told Gulf News from the northern Saada province, the rebels’ bastion. “There is a plot by the US agents in Yemen to spark a war in the province. The plot is linked to the US’s stooges who are called Al Qaida.”
Months after claiming control of Al Qaida’s strongholds in Bayda province, Al Houthis have repeatedly suffered deadly attacks that claimed the lives of dozens of their fighters. On Monday, a government official told Gulf News from Rada town that at least 15 Al Houthi fighters were killed when roadside bombs hit their armed vehicles on Sunday night. “The situation in Rada and other regions is calm expect from sporadic attack by Al Qaida and tribesmen,” said the official who preferred not to be named.
A week ago, at least 15 female students were killed when two car bombs exploded as their bus passed a checkpoint overran by Al Houthis in Bayda’s Rada city. The attack triggered national and international condemnations and forced the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, into issuing a statement describing the attack as “cowardly terrorist acts that brutally take the lives of innocent civilians, including children”.
Al Qaida denied on an affiliated Twitter account carrying out the attack, pointing blame to the Al Houthis who also denied their involvement.
