SANAA, 30 January 2007 — Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday warned the Shiite rebels in the country’s northern Saada province they could face a military campaign if they do not lay down their arms.
Saleh made the warning in an address before an annual meeting of top military commanders in the capital Sanaa, one day after six government troops and one rebel fighter were killed in renewed clashes in Saada, about 230 kilometers north of Sanaa.
At least 29 people were wounded in two days of fighting, which according to tribal sources broke out after authorities sent armored military patrols to an area dominated by the rebels.
“The terrorists and saboteurs led by Abdul Malik Al-Houthi should hand over their weapons and heavy arms to the leadership of the Saada province,” Saleh said.
Officials have accused Al-Houthi, a son of prominent Shiite scholar Badruddin Al-Houthi, of leading remnants of the outlawed Believing Youth group that was established by his elder brother Hussein Al- Houthi in 2004.
Saleh said if Al-Houthi and his supporters do not disarm, the army would be “blameless” for any action it takes against them. He accused the rebels of seeking to overthrow the republican regime.
“There is a special force ready to uproot them if they do not disband and put down their weapons as soon as possible. This operation would not take long,” the Yemeni leader said. “We warn them, and the one who warns is excused.”
About 50 members of Al-Houthi group were arrested, including at least 12 accused of involvement in Sunday’s attacks, a local official said.
Residents of areas on the road to Sanaa said the situation was tense yesterday as the army sent further enforcements to pursue the rebels.
The attacks were the latest in repeated and often bloody confrontations between government forces and armed followers of Al-Houthi in Saada. Government forces engaged in fierce battles in April 2006 with armed followers of the hard-line group that officials said was inciting against the United States and Israel.
In May 2006, Saleh announced a general amnesty for the Houthis after government forces crushed their rebellion, first initiated by the group’s founder Hussein Al-Houthi, and captured their mountain strongholds in Saada.
Hussein Al-Houthi was killed by the army in September 2004. Some 525 troops and hundreds of rebels were killed in fighting in 2006 that followed the first three-moth revolt that left more than 400 insurgents and troops killed.
