Yemeni officials have confirmed on Monday that an estimated 30 people have died over the past two weeks in the northern province of Amran as tribesmen affiliated to al-Ahmar family have clashed with the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group originally based in the northern province of Sa'ada.
While the Houthis have until 2011 restricted their movements to the Sa'ada province where they felt stronger and thus more in control, Yemen's Arab Spring and the subsequent weakening of the state institutions considerably changed the Shiite rebel group's outlook on its role and political potential within Yemen's northern territories.
With little political will or military deterrent to oppose its territorial advances, the Houthis have since 2011 largely expanded their zone of influence to neighboring provinces: Hajja, Sa'ada, al-Jawf and parts of Amran.
So far only al-Islah (Yemen Sunni political faction) and affiliated tribal militias, wich as it happens answer to the prominent al-Ahmar family, have thwarted the group's regional hegemonic ambitions by blocking its progress in Amran.
Situated directly north of the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, the province of Amran presents a geo-strategic advantage point for the Houthis as it should it fall under its control would essentially give its troops a direct opening onto the capital and thus the government.
While the Houthis have been keen to advocate it seeks not to disrupt and only to participate in Yemen's reconstruction, alleging that its men are only merely responding to unwarranted aggression, many have bid to differ, pointing the finger toward Amran.
While Yemen is no stranger to tribal confrontations, it is the nature of the clashes which is deeply troubling analysts and officials as the main point of contention seem to be religious rather than political and territorial.
Just as southern leaders have agreed to return to the negotiating table, allowing NDC representatives to resume their work, Yemen does not need another crisis, especially when weeks away from the drafting of its new constitution.
Moreover, the fight now has spread from Amran to Ibb, south of the capital, a region which has seldom witnessed sectarian-based violence. According to officials 12 people have died near Rudma, in the Ibb province.
He said, "Pressuring governments through street demonstrations is a well-known policy worldwide and if we look at neighboring countries we will find it has yielded results... Go out in demonstrations and sit-ins with signs whether in Dammam or Khobar or any place that can send the message to the Saudi government."