In yet another escalation between insurgency allies, the political council of Houthi rebels has launched a scathing attack on the General People’s Council (GPC) led by former President Ali Abdallah Saleh.
The Houthi council said it was not honored to run the country's affairs through a partnership with Saleh who is not fighting corruption.
Houthis have taken new restrictive steps against Saleh such as putting new conditions to keep the alliance with him, including not holding any events and approving their latest decisions namely in the judicial branch, Yemeni sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.
The tension between the two insurgency partners comes amid warnings from Yemeni vice president Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar that Houthis will try to eliminate those who helped them control Sana’a, in a hint to Saleh and his party.
Ahmar said that the Houthi rebels, with whom Saleh had formed a coalition to govern the capital Sana’a, will look to eliminate him after what seemed to be a breakdown in relations earlier this month.
Speaking at a meeting with local officials in Marib, north Yemen, Ahmar said that it was in the Houthis' nature to back-stab those they are supposedly cooperating with.
He added that the Houthi insurgents would not be where they are if the country’s political life was organized.
Ahmar warned that while others are working for the interest of the country, Houthis use the opportunity to achieve their own goals.
Houthis did confirm in their statement that they still support by all means available their partnership with the GPC despite accusations and defamation.
However, in a direct accusation of corruption, the insurgents said the GPC was hindering reform. The statement mentioned that more than once, Ansarallah members called for Higher Political council meetings to discuss national issues, but they were obstructed.
On Wednesday, the Houthi leader discussed over the phone current issues with Saleh, in what was described by analysts as a step to contain tension between the two sides.
Analysts noticed that media outlets of both parties issued the statement, which could mean that the two leaders are trying to limit the problem following the recent fallout.
