As President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi refuses to allow the Houthis versus Hashid tribesmen crisis to degenerate into a full blown war right on the outskirt of the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, negotiators have once again managed to extend a shaky truce by another couple of weeks, in the hope that a breakthrough will by then occur an allow for the establishment of a lasting peace in the region.
With men positioned deep into Hashid territory in the northern province of Amran, a land which falls directly under the control of al-Ahmar tribe, one of Yemen’s most powerful tribal factions, the Houthis have categorically refused to withdraw their men, alleging they need a territorial buffer against Salafis as to ensure that their people remain safe. It is such refusal and defiance to al-Ahmar’s authority which has enraged tribesmen and led to intermittent clashes in the province.
Although President Hadi has been criticised for what has been perceived by politicians linked to al-Islah ( Sunni radical faction linked to al-Ahmar), sources close to the presidential palace have explained the president wants to safeguard national cohesion above all else as Yemen enters the last stage of its institutional overall. Experts have warned that risking political defection from the Houthis at such juncture would essentially cancel out three years of intense political negotiation and collapse any hope of a peaceful transition, notwithstanding the risk of a terror insurrection.
Sources in government confirmed on Saturday that a presidential committee had brokered a deal with the Houthis on Friday, provisioning for a two weeks truce extension in northern Amran.
Anadolu agency quoted a source as saying “ the committee has met with tribal chieftains affiliated with the Houthis and has promised to study the group's demands, including the dismissal of the Amran governor and a number of security and military officials who the Houthis accuse of promoting recent unrest in the province.”