Houthis In Rebellion Again
As Houthis continue to assert their power and rights by launching a massive protest against the government, the United States of America today expressed strong condemnation of the recent provocative actions which have undermined the country’s political stability.
In a press statement in Washington DC, US Deparment Spokesperson Jen Psaki said: “Their actions seek to undermine the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) political transition process and Yemen’s stability.”
In addition, the US called for an end to hostilities and urged the Houthis to immediately dismantle their armed camps and checkpoints in and around Sana’a; withdraw their forces from Amran, return Amran to Government of Yemen control, and return the weapons looted from the 310th Brigade compound; implement ceasefires in all conflict areas to prevent further violence from destabilizing the transition process.
The US spokesperson emphasized the Houthis must cooperate with the Government of Yemen’s efforts to achieve a sustainable and peaceful political resolution to the current conflict, consistent with the GCC Initiative and National Dialogue recommendations.
Earlier this week, the Shi’ite Muslim Houthis launched protests in the country’s capital of Sanaa and demanded the government resign and restore fuel subsidies.
Currently, the Muslim group have set up encampments in Sanaa near the Interior Ministry.
News started to circulate earlier this week that talks to form a new Yemeni government did not materialized over demands by Houthis to gain back fuel subsidies cut by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Houthi Rebels Against Yemeni Forces
At least 120 people were killed in the latest clashes between Yemeni government forces and between Shi’ite Muslim Houthi rebels in northern Yemen in July this year.
According to media reports, around 100 Houthi rebels and 20 Yemeni government soldiers were in a fierce battle.
The Yemeni forces used warplanes to attack the positions held by the rebels near the provincial capital of Amran.
The fighting ended on Monday evening after a ceasefire was agreed. No clashes have been reported on Tuesday.
The Houthis have been launching uprisings over the past 10 years. The rebels are earnestly fighting for autonomy in northern Yemen.
Earlier this year, the rebels attacked Amran that left 150 civilians dead.