Tens of thousands in Yemen Shiite protest

[Ars Moriendi]

The UN brokered agreement has been made immaterial.

The Houthis armed forces have taken control of the entire capital of Yemen. The newspapers, radio and TV services of the government are under Houthi control, as well as the public offices (Ministries) and even the military base of the 1st Armoured Division right outisde Sanaa.

Following their capture of the city, the Houthis have proceeded to release a couple of Hezbollah operatives that had been previously captured by the Yemeni government. Even more intringuingly, a number of alleged members of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard), the fighting core of the Islamic Republic have also been set free.

It would seem that such a move has earnt Abdelmalek Al-Houthi enough leverage in Tehran (as well as in Southern Beirut), to proceed with his plan to transform the Houthis into the main power of Yemen, with undisputed influence over most of the region.

Unlike what the UN agreement they had agreed upon a little while, the Houthi Forces have remained entrenched in Sanaa, and have refused to abandon the city like they did in Arman, back in July. While he does so, a large contingent of Houth fighters have been dispatched to gain control of yet another province: Marib.
The province is located east of Sanaa, and should the Houthis succesfully seize the wells and pipelines located there, they'd control yet another key asset of the country's economic infrastructure.

It's worth remembering that following their capture of the capital, they ordered the Finance Ministry, to stop all sorts of public payments except for the salaries of government employees. By adding the extractive hidrocarbure industry of Yemen to their assets, the Houthis would succesfully hold both the institutional and infrastructural cores of the Yemeni budget.

Seeing the rising momentum of the Houthis, ex-president Saleh, who waged war against them between 2004 and 2011, has left the country and pleaded asylum in Ethiopia. Most likely fearing reprisals against his actions as President of Yemen.


AQAP, has stopped observing and has started a new fighting campaign, this time (following the complete breakdown of the Yemeni military) against the Houthis of course. A number of assassinations and explosions have taken place already, killing a number of members of Ansarullah (the official name of the Houthis).
While doing so, AQAP has summoned all Yemeni Sunnis to wage war on the "infidel" Zaydis, thus adding more fuel to the sectarian tension fire.



Finally, and as an anecdotic evend that hightlights the growing crisis and breakdown of the the Yemeni State, the Malaysian government has begun repatriating all of its citizens from the country. Several charter planes have already begun moving all these people to Kuala Lumpur.


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A number of sources are available here, for you to complement and contrast my summary:

Houthis to Remain in Yemen Capital Until New Government Is Formed
http://www.abna.ir/english/service/m...514/story.html

Spoiler!

Houthis will stay in Yemen's capital Sanaa until a new government is formed, Dhaifallah al-Shami, a member of the Houthis' Political Office told RIA Novosti on Monday.

According to al-Shami, the group is to remain in the city until the establishment of a new government which can "provide security". Houthis are not to take part in the formation of the government, and will only supervise the authorities' implementation of their responsibilities, he said.

The group opposes the appointment of a prime minister, who is loyal to "foreign countries", he noted.

Al-Shami stated that so-called "people's committees" are more capable of providing security in Sanaa than their enemies, and those who demand that Houthis leave the city are provoking unrest and helping extremists.

The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia group, have been accusing the incumbent government in Sanaa of discrimination against Shiites. The group has been carrying out protests against the government since mid-August, calling for economic and political reforms.

According to Yemen's Health Ministry, about 300 people mostly from Houthis were killed in clashes between government forces and followers of the Houthi movement in late September. Hundreds of residents of Sanaa have been forced to flee for fear of escalation in violence.

Iranians, Hezbollah members among those freed from Yemen intelligence HQ: source
http://www.aawsat.net/2014/09/article55337033

Spoiler!

Shi'ite Houthi rebels man a checkpoint in the Yemeni capital Sana’a, on September 27, 2014. (Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Most of the prisoners freed from Yemen’s national security headquarters in Sana’a by Houthi rebels on Wednesday were Iranian military personnel and members of Lebanese Hezbollah, a Yemeni intelligence source told Asharq Al-Awsat, as clashes reignited in the capital early on Saturday between the Houthis and government forces.

The source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, added that many of the freed were “high-ranking” officers or “military trainers,” with some also “involved in smuggling arms into Yemen.”

The source said they were still in the country, particularly the Houthi strongholds of Saada and Amran.

The Shi’ite Houthi group overran the headquarters of the country’s intelligence service in central Sana’a on Wednesday, setting free a number of prisoners including the crew of an Iranian ship captured off the Yemeni coast in January 2013, which was allegedly being used to smuggle a large cache of weapons to Houthi militants.

A number of members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also reportedly among those set free.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported that clashes broke out between armed Houthi rebels and government forces after the rebels attempted to raid the home of Ali Mohsin Al-Ahmar, the head of the country’s intelligence service, near the presidential palace early on Saturday.

The eyewitnesses said they had seen several dead and injured following the attacks by the rebels, which were blocked by the security forces guarding Ahmar’s home, and that both sides were continually receiving reinforcements, with the government side boosted by the arrival of members of the Yemeni Presidential Guard.

The Houthis, meanwhile, accused the security forces stationed outside Ahmar’s home of firing first, killing three and injuring eight of the group’s members during the clashes.

The Shi’ite group have been in control of large sections of the capital since last Saturday, following a month-long series of large protests staged by the group across Sana’a to demand the formation of a new government and the reinstatement of fuel subsidies.

A UN-brokered ceasefire was signed between the government and the Houthis last Sunday which stipulated an end to hostilities and the protests, the appointment of a new government, the reinstatement of subsidies, and the appointment of members of the Houthi-affiliate Ansar Allah to act as advisers to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, together with some members of the pro-secessionist movement Al-Hirak.

However, clashes have continued despite the agreement, with the Houthis laying siege to several government buildings including the intelligence headquarters.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that unknown assailants fired rockets on the US embassy building in the capital on Saturday.

The eyewitnesses said the Houthis then took control of the security checkpoint next to the embassy and the Sheraton Hotel, which staff and security personnel from the embassy have been using as a base since a rocket attack by the Al-Qaeda-affiliate Ansar Al-Shari’a on the embassy in 2012.

Although Ansar Al-Shari’a claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, saying it was retaliating against an American drone attack in the northern Al-Jawf province on Friday, an embassy spokesman cast doubt on the group’s claim.

The spokesman told Asharq Al-Awsat there was “no reason to believe the attack was intended for the embassy,” adding that the Yemeni government was now looking into the matter.

One security source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, told Asharq Al-Awsat two rockets had hit the embassy building, and that there had been no casualties or injuries. The source said the security services were now investigating the attack.

Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesman said on Saturday that the movement had signed an addendum to the ceasefire agreement signed last Sunday, stipulating the end of fighting in Sana’a, Amran, Al-Jawf and Ma’rab, the withdrawal of all Houthi fighters from these areas, the redeployment of government forces to their posts, and the return of weapons seized from military and security installations and personnel.

The movements’ refusal to sign the agreement last week had fueled fears of continued large-scale clashes between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, and even outright civil war.

Yemen: Houthis push to control oil-rich province
http://www.aawsat.net/2014/10/article55337214
Source warns of violent clashes breaking out in home of the country’s main oil-export pipeline

Spoiler!

Member of the Shi’ite Muslim Houthi movement mans a machine gun during a patrol in Sanaa. (Reuters)

Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s rebel militias are closing in on the oil-rich Marib province, a source told Asharq Al-Awsat, as uncertainty continues to shroud the country’s political scene.
Houthi militants launched on Friday a military campaign to seize control of oil and electricity facilities in the Marib province, 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of the capital Sana’a, as part of the group’s efforts to boost its control of the country’s natural resources, a political source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Militants loyal to Shi’ite leader Abdel Malik Al-Houthi have remained in full control of state buildings after almost two weeks of storming the Yemeni capital.

It was reported that dozens of Houthi rebels have been deployed recently near the country’s key oil and electricity facilities, including the Ministry of Oil and Minerals, Masila Petroleum Exploration and Production Company and Yemen Oil and Gas Corporation, among others.

Controlling oil and electricity resources in Yemen will give a boost to the group that is almost in full control of all public funds, he said.

The source warned of violent clashes breaking out in the province which is home to the country’s main oil-export pipeline.

On Thursday, Houthi rebels ordered the Ministry of Finance to suspend all public payments except salaries to government workers in a step they said was aimed at protecting government funds.

The Shi’ite movement has also banned the Ministry of Civil Service and Insurance from making any decisions regarding employment until a new government is formed under an UN-brokered deal, the source said.

Meanwhile, no progress has been made in government formation talks between President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Houthis, a source said.

“Houthis want almost entirely to control government formation, a process which is supposed to be agreed by all parties,” a government source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The official also warned that “Houthis will fail to honour their agreement with the UN Envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar to withdraw from Sana’a before Eid Al-Adha holiday.”

Last month, Yemen’s central government and Houthis signed a deal under the aegis of the UN to put an end to the crisis that has engulfed the country. The terms of the agreement included forming a new cabinet, reversing a controversial fuel subsidy cut and allowing Shi’ite rebels wider participation in the government.

AQAP attacks Houthis in Amran, Sana'aç
http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat...l+(Site-Wide))

Spoiler!

On Oct. 5, a Twitter account affiliated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed credit for attacks targeting the Houthi rebels that took place on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 in Amran and Sana'a provinces, respectively.

AQAP claims to have attacked a Houthi gathering with an improvised explosive device (IED) in northern Amran province on Oct. 2. The statement posted on Twitter states that AQAP fighters detonated the IED in the al Ahnoum region of Amran where a gathering of Houthis was taking place. Although the AQAP media wing, "Ansar al Shariah News," did not have any details regarding the result of the attack, the AQAP statement noted that local media outlets report that the attack led to the death or injury of 15 Houthis.

The second AQAP attack took place on Oct. 3 in Sana'a and targeted what AQAP referred to as a "Houthi headquarters in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a." This attack was carried out by AQAP fighters lobbing a grenade on the "Houthi headquarters" in the Habra region of Sana'a. The AQAP statement on the attack claimed vaguely that the guards protecting the headquarters were killed and injured in the attack.

These latest developments come amid an escalation of AQAP attacks against the Yemeni military and the Shiite Houthi rebels. The Houthis staged a lightning sweep of Sana'a on Sept. 22 and quickly consolidated their power in the capital in the following days. Since then, AQAP has declared an open war against the Houthis and called on Sunnis to take up arms against the Shiite rebels.

Yemen's Saleh seeks refuge in Ethiopia
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/ne...ge-in-ethiopia

Spoiler!

Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has decided to flee to Ethiopia to escape a likely attack by armed Houthi militias, after the group directed many threats at him and besieged his home, a media source close to the presidential palace said.

The news website Yemen Ethadi reported that "the regional and international pressure exerted on the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh aims to force him to leave political life and Yemen".

"Ethiopia received a request from former President Saleh to reside there and it accepted the request on the condition that he does not partake in any political activities during his stay on its territory," the site continued.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi quoted informed sources as saying that the Houthis besieging Saleh's home after the fall of Sanaa. He received threats from militants who want revenge for the six wars that took place during his reign against the group between 2004 and 2010; the first of which lead to the death of the founder of the Houthis, Hussein Badreddin Al-Houthi, in Saada.

First batch of 61 Malaysians evacuated from Yemen
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Natio...o-arrive-home/

Spoiler!

KUALA LUMPUR: The first batch of 61 Malaysians have left Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, for Malaysia in three separate flights.

Wisma Putra said in a statement that the first two groups of 41 evacuees are expected to arrive at KL International Airport (KLIA) at 8.55am and 8.30pm, Tuesday.

"The third group of 20 is expected to arrive at KLIA at 8.25am on Wednesday," it said.

The statement said the government decided to bring back the Malaysians in view of the current situation in Yemen and as a precautionary measure.

The National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry together with the embassy of Malaysia in Sana'a are working closely in coordinating the exercise.

"The government, through the embassy, has provided temporary accommodation to 449 Malaysians since Sept 19. The embassy will continue to provide assistance to all Malaysians with the support of the Malaysian Students Association in Yemen (Permaya) until their safe return to Malaysia," it said.

Yemen's latest conflict occurred following the battle between the Houthis movement and the military that saw the rebels seizing important institutions in the capital city.

The Foreign Ministry also advised all Malaysians to avoid or postpone all unnecessary travel to Yemen due to the current situation, which it said remained fluid.

"The ministry also seeks the cooperation of Malaysians who are still in Yemen to register with the embassy if they have not done so," it said.

Malaysians who require assistance can contact the Malaysian Embassy in Yemen via 009671429781 and 009671429782 or e-mail mwsanaa. - Bernama

[Ars Moriendi]

A new Prime Minister has been named, with the agreement of the Houthis (that had previously refused Hadi's office director as a possible choice for position).
It remains to be seen if this time, Ansarullah's forces will be withdrawn from Sanaa.

A new number of attacks by AQAP have targetted some of their camps, killing dozens of people.


Yemen: Khaled Bahah Announced as New Prime Minister
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-khale...nister-1469787

By Thomas Wyke

Spoiler!

Soldiers loyal to the Shi'ite Houthi group shout slogans during an anti-government rally in Sana'a

Yemen's President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi has named former oil minister Khaled Bahah as the country's new prime minister.

Yemen's previous prime minister, Mohammed Basindwa, stepped down on 21 September. Basindwa had been heavily criticised for the government's failings in preventing the Houthis, a Shi'ite rebel group, from seizing the Yemeni city of Sana'a.

Bahah hails from Hadhramout, south Yemen and studied at the University of Pune.

The 58-year-old leaves his job as permanent representative to the United Nations. He had previously held the position of oil minister for four months and served as the Yemeni ambassador to Canada.

Bahah also supported the 2011 revolution, which led to the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

It is hoped that Bahah will be a unifying figure at a time of deep division within the country. The Houthis have already welcomed the decision to appoint Bahah.

Abdelmalek al-Ejri, a member of the Houthi political bureau, said: "We believe Bahah is the right person. His appointment will help the country overcome the difficulties it is going through."

It was initially thought that Hadi's office director, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, was going to be the new prime minister but his nomination was rejected by the Houthis last Thursday. The Houthis viewed the proposed appointment of Mubarak as being an attempt to improve relations with Washington.

The Houthis, who are mainly based in the north of the country, have been refusing to leave Sana'a until a new inclusive government has been formed.

Last week, a triple suicide bomb attack in Hadhramout left 42 civilians dead, including several children. The attack, which appears to have targeted Houthi supporters, was later claimed by Ansar al-Sharia, a terror cell affiliated with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The UN Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on Monday, focusing on the current security and political situation in Yemen.

AQAP claims credit for attacks in Sana'a
http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat...or_attacks.php

By OREN ADAKI

Spoiler!

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released statements today claiming credit for two attacks in Sana'a, the Yemeni capital. The first of these attacks was the massive suicide attack that took place on the morning of Oct. 9 in Tahrir Square, while the second occurred the following day.

AQAP claimed that "more than fifty rafidi [Shi'ite] Houthis" were killed and tens were injured in the Oct. 9 suicide attack that targeted a gathering of Houthi supporters preparing for demonstrations in Sana'a. According to the statement, the attack was carried out by Abu Mu'awiyah al Sana'ani, who detonated his explosive belt as Houthi supporters amassed in the city square. Although the statement says it is difficult to determine the exact number of casualties resulting from the attack, it notes that local and international media outlets reported that more than 50 Houthis were killed and 150 others were severely injured.

Regarding the attack on Oct. 10, AQAP claimed that its fighters targeted the Houthi leader Ibrahim al Mahtouri with a sticky explosive device which was detonated in his car at around 11:30 a.m. Al Mahtouri is a prominent Houthi figure and brother of Al Murtada bin Zayd al Mahtouri, a Zaydi Shiite religious authority. The AQAP statement explained that the mujahideen had previously planted the explosive device in al Mahtouri's vehicle and detonated it while al Mahtouri was driving the vehicle in the Sa'wan neighborhood of Sana'a. Although the mujahideen could not confirm al Mahtouri's death, they claimed that he had suffered severe injuries as a result of the explosion.j