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Sectarian clashes continue in north Yemen, at least 55 killed
[Yemen Post] Fierce festivities flared up in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah between Shiite al-Houthi followers and Sunni tribal alliance fighters, claiming the lives of at least 55 and wounding scores of others.Al-Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran Governorate, Al Jawf Governorate and Hajjah Governorate.... rebels carried out an offensive on Sunday and Monday on some Sunni-held posts in Kashar area of Hajjah; however, the rustics expected the attack and, therefore, managed to repel it, a local source told Yemen Post. "The festivities continued for more than non-stop 10 hours, leaving at least 40 Houthis as well as 15 rustics killed. Not to mention the large number of the unspecified causalities from the two sides," said the local source, who requested to remain anonymous. Al-Houthi rebels have reportedly come in large number to Hajjah to reinforce their fighters based in the province, following the huge prophetic cradle ceremony they held on Saturday, which was attended by tens of thousands of Shiite supporters from across the country. Sectarian violence in Hajjah and Sadda between Salafis and Shiites has broken out when the latter sought to expand its sway in the area. Al-Houthis took over Sadda lately, taking advantage of the recent unrest the fragmented-state is currently experiencing. Sadda has witnessed six wars between Army troops and al-Houthi Shiite fighters, leaving thousands killed from the two sides, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes, and triggering a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Posted by: Fred 2012-02-07 |
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