Why Houthis hold the power in Yemen
<
http://www.thenational.ae/authors/hakim-almasmari> Hakim Almasmari
November 16, 2014 10:15 PM
SANAA // Yemen may claim to have a new government but it is clear who is
calling the shots.
The Houthi rebels, who overran Sanaa in September, have taken up key
positions in government ministries, installed themselves in the country's
main financial institions and taken control of the most important transport
hubs.
The rebels, a group with roots in the Shiite Zaidi sect, had promised to
withdraw thousands of fighters from the capital as part of a ceasefire deal
signed with the government on September 21.
The Houthis, widely accused of being backed by Iran, demanded a new
government that better represented the group and president Abdrabu Mansur
Hadi swore in new ministers on November 9. However, there is no sign that
the rebels are preparing to relinquish control of government buildings.
"The Houthis did not take control of Sanaa for them to evacuate a month
later, they are here to stay and politics in Yemen is entering a phase where
the governments is powerless. They are in directly in control of almost
everything even airports and border entrances," said Baleeq Bakigh Al
Mikhlafi, a senior politician in Yemen.
"Security forces are currently handicapped after the defeat at the hands of
the Houthis and their control within government institutions is a given."
After signing the deal the Houthi militants formed "resistance committees"
and stationed themselves in ministries, government institutions and the
central bank, cementing their hold on power in the capital.
The majority of security checkpoints throughout Sanaa and surrounding areas
are controlled by Houthi militants.
As the negotiations continued, the majority of the militants were officially
added to the government payroll and officially distributed within the
security forces and police departments. At least 2,000 Houthis have been
added to the government payroll, according to the rebel group.
Last month, Houthi militants raided the human-rights ministry, kicked out
its minister, and assigned an official to run the ministry until the new
government was formed. The government did not react.
"The incident of the human-rights ministry will continue for those ministers
Houthis oppose," said a top official at the ministry. "They appoint and they
dismiss and the government turns a blind eye."
The Houthis also sought control of the capital's key financial institutions.
The governor of the Central Bank of Yemen has been ordered to provide the
Houthis with details of every six-digit transaction, said a senior bank
official
"Dozens of transactions were stopped by the Houthis," the official said.
"All accounts belonging to companies or senior Yemeni officials are on the
Houthi watch list."
At the finance ministry, the Houthi political council placed a number of
their representatives who are already connected to the government within the
ministry's main departments. Across Sanaa, armed Houthis are clearly in
control and are present at all ministries in Sanaa.
Houthi checkpoints are known by the sign they have hung beside them such as:
"Death to America, Death to Israel".Houthis forces have also jailed hundreds
of people in Sanaa this month in secret prisons for interrogation, with the
government making no effort to stop them, according to a senior Houthi
leader and member of the Houthi political council. Those detained are
suspected of supporting attacks against Houthis by Sunni tribesmen in the
provices. "We are against the Houthi militants activities, but their
presence has kept Sanaa safer," said Saleh Al Sharabi, a full-time
accountant in Sanaa whose residence is just across the street from a Houthi
gathering point. "I am just worried that one day I am targeted by the
Houthis."
The group has also set up at least 12 private courts in Sanaa. "People
resort to us to solve their problems in the absence of the government doing
its duties," said AbdulQader Al Shami, a pro-Houthi lawyer and activist in
Sanaa. "People are seeking justice and we help when government institutions
are not able to quickly solve the problems."
The new-found power of the Houthis came after more than a decade of conflict
with the central government. The Yemeni army has fought six wars against the
Houthis since 2004.
After a popular uprising in 2012 removed president Ali Abdullah Saleh from
power, Houthi supreme leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi used the chaos to
increase his power base in the mountainous north of the country. He was also
able to set up a political wing, Ansarullah.
The group took control of Sanaa after weeks of fighting killed more than 500
people.
The militants then pushed across northern Yemen, winning battles against
Sunni tribesmen and Al Qaeda militants. The government has repeatedly failed
to dislodge Al Qaeda from strongholds in the country despite support from US
drone strikes.
With these victories, it seems unlikely the group is likely to give up the
influence it now holds in the capital.
"Houthis need to put their weapons aside and form a political party in order
to have influence within Yemeni politics," said Mohammed Abulahoum,
president of the Justice and Building party. "Yemen has no chance to reach
safe shores if all sides resort to militancy and arms."
Received on Sun Nov 16 2014 - 16:35:58 EST