Armed Houthi aggression against those celebrating the flags of the Republic of Yemen
تاريخ النشر: 27th, September 2023 GMT
On Tuesday, gunmen wearing military uniforms attacked those celebrating the September 26 Revolution in the streets of the city of Sanaa, which has been under the control of the Houthi militia - the Iranian arm in Yemen, since its coup in September 2014.
Activists on social media published video clips showing armed elements in the ranks of the Houthi militia attacking citizens who voluntarily raised the flags of the Republic of Yemen in celebration of the occasion.
A circulating video clip showed a citizen waving the flag of the Republic of Yemen, before the assailant attacked him from behind by hitting him with the butt of a rifle.
Activists within the ranks of the Houthi group launched an intimidation campaign that slandered Yemeni women who participated in the spontaneous event by raising the flags of the Republic of Yemen and chanting slogans and national anthems.
Last night, Sanaa residents went out in their cars waving the flags of the Republic of Yemen from the windows and roof hatches of their cars, chanting national anthems that sing of the September 26 revolution, and chanting slogans.
Eyewitnesses reported that clashes and stone throwing took place between those celebrating the September 26 Revolution and armed men in the ranks of the Houthi militia at Remas Tour, the intersection of Haddah Street, in the Al-Sabeen District, south of the city of Sana'a.
Since the morning of Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the Houthi militia has deployed masked gunmen in its ranks at the entrances and center of the city of Sanaa and at the entrances to the side streets of the areas of Al-Sabeen, Haddah, and Tahrir Square
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In a notable development following a series of mixed political and military signals, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted a meeting that brought together the presidency of Yemen’s Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and the leaders of political factions and parties affiliated with it, along with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.
“As part of the Kingdom’s continued support for comprehensive peace efforts, national reconciliation, and the stabilization of Yemen, I met today with the leadership of the Yemeni Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the heads of political factions and parties in the commission. I stressed the importance of supporting all efforts toward security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.”
Yemeni political figure and Commission member Abdelmalik Al-Mekhlafi echoed this sentiment, tweeting:
“Today’s meeting in Riyadh between the leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and political party leaders with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber once again demonstrates the Kingdom’s and its leadership’s commitment to achieving reconciliation in Yemen, along with peace, stability, and development. It also reflects the strategic brotherly partnership between the Kingdom and Yemen toward achieving these noble goals.”
These statements come at a charged regional moment, with reports circulating of possible preparations for a ground operation in Yemen, while indirect talks continue between Tehran and Washington. Notably, the recent visit by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, during which he met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, was anything but routine.
Within this broader regional and international context, Saudi Arabia has made two significant diplomatic moves related to the Yemen file. The first occurred in Washington, D.C., this past February, where Prince Khalid met with his American counterpart and other senior U.S. officials. That meeting reportedly focused on security coordination and regional issues, including Yemen and the Houthis. The second, more recent meeting took place in Tehran in April.
It is worth noting that Ambassador Al Jaber was present at both meetings—an indication that the Yemen issue featured prominently in discussions, both in Washington and Tehran.
These developments raise important questions: Is the Kingdom working to unify the political positions of Yemeni factions ahead of a potential escalation? Or is it seeking to reaffirm its role as a peace sponsor before the Houthis and the international community, especially amid speculation about a ground operation—one which Riyadh has officially denied any involvement in?
A critical point to observe here is the duality of messaging emerging from Riyadh. While official diplomatic rhetoric, as reflected in the ambassador’s meetings and statements, emphasizes de-escalation and support for peace efforts, Saudi media continues to broadcast messages about imminent military resolution and preparations for a decisive battle.
This contrast may be the result of a deliberate distribution of roles or it might signal hesitation regarding the final course of action. Regardless, it keeps the overall situation shrouded in ambiguity—an ambiguity that warrants careful analysis.
Given these dynamics, the question remains: Are we witnessing the dawn of a new Saudi-backed peace phase in Yemen? Or is this a last attempt to clarify positions before the eruption of a new round of conflict?
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