Despite calls for calm and restraint, local officials in the northern province of al-Jawf have confirmed that tensions in between Houthi fighters (a Shia group organized under the leadership of Abdel-Malek al-Houthi and the political denomination, Ansar Allah) and members of the Muslim Brotherhood (a Sunni radical group member of al-Islah political faction) have reached new high over the past few days as clashes have resumed.
After a few weeks of relative peace tribal sources note that fighting broke out once again on Thursday. So far an estimated 17 people have died and dozens were severely injured. Tribesmen affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood are believed to have instigated the violence when they challenged Houthi elements on areas which fall under their control, keen to reclaim al-Jawf. The Houthis whose zone of influence has grown over the past two years well beyond its original stronghold in Sa’ada (northern province) have proven a potent threat, both politically and militarily to the Brotherhood and its affiliates in the region, thus generating severe tensions in Yemen highlands. Both factions have been bent on affirming their supremacy over the other, igniting tensions.
While a tribal mediation committee has attempted to restore calm by brokering a truce, locals have warned that Saudi Arabia’s outlawing of the Brotherhood and the Houthis on Friday would add yet more fuel to an already raging fire.
Saudi King Abdullah announced on Friday that a committee entrusted with identifying terror organizations had found the Muslim Brotherhood and the Houthis, among many others, to be among such groups and thus outlawed them.
Since Yemen has already been asked to align its policy with that of Saudi Arabia, politicians expect tensions in northern Yemen could take a turn for the worse.