Yemeni Minister: UN Silence Raises Doubts on Neutrality of Organizations

A Houthi militant walks through the rubble in Yemen. (Reuters)
A Houthi militant walks through the rubble in Yemen. (Reuters)
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Yemeni Minister: UN Silence Raises Doubts on Neutrality of Organizations

A Houthi militant walks through the rubble in Yemen. (Reuters)
A Houthi militant walks through the rubble in Yemen. (Reuters)

Yemeni Minister of Local Administration, Head of the Higher Committee for Relief Abdul Raqib Fatah condemned the forced displacements carried out by the coup militia against the residents of the Jabal Habashi district in Taiz governorate.

He accused them of forcing the residents to leave their homes and planting mines in the vicinity of these houses, resulting in the injury of a number of people.

In a statement issued by Yemeni news agency, Fatah called on UN Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen Jimmy McGoldrick to condemn the actions of the militias and their daily violations against the people of Taiz and other governorates.

He asked McGoldrick to visit Taiz and learn about the daily crimes committed by Houthi and Saleh militias against children, women and civilians, who are forcibly being displaced. He urged him to send urgent reports to rights organizations and the UN Security Council about the people’s suffering.

Fatah considered the silence of the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN human rights organizations unacceptable, pointing out that remaining silent casts doubt on the credibility and impartiality of the organizations.

Meanwhile, founder of the Strategic Research Institute of the French Military Academy Dr. Frederic Charillon said that the Yemeni state, represented by the legitimate government, is keen not to make mistakes.

He added that the militias “do not abide by any rules, do not have any ethics and do not recognize any treaties or charters.”

The French researcher spoke during a panel discussion in Paris on Friday, entitled “How to Protect Yemen’s Cultural Heritage,” about the instability witnessed by a number of Arab states.

He pointed out that the situation in Yemen is difficult and complicated due to an asymmetry in dealing with the humanitarian and political situation.

He also called on the concerned international parties to put an end to the humanitarian tragedy that Yemen has been experiencing since the beginning of the Houthi coup.



Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
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Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias have prevented their so-called prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahwi, from naming the head of his office.

The Houthis have instead forced him to appoint a person of their choosing against his wishes, revealed informed sources in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

The Houthis are attempting to strip al-Rahwi, who was named as head of the militias’ new government, of his powers, making his appointment simply a cover for imposing their agenda and favoring Houthis who are descended of the line of their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The sources revealed that al-Rahwi had headed to the government headquarters with Rabih al-Mehdi, the director of the office of his predecessor. Mehdi hails from the Abyan province that is held by the legitimate government.

Al-Rahwi was seeking to keep al-Mehdi in his post. However, a leading Houthi member, Mohammed Qassem al-Kabisi, who used to occupy the position of government secretary, barred him from making the appointment.

Kabisi even prevented al-Mehdi from entering his office, resulting in an argument with al-Rahwi.

Kabisi informed al-Rahwi that he had no authority in naming the head of his office, saying that he does instead.

Al-Rahwi turned to the Houthis’ so-called ruling high political council to resolve the dispute and was informed that he should accept Kabisi as head of his office despite his objection.

A decree was issued days later naming Kabisi to the post.

He will effectively hold absolute power in government, while al-Rahwi will simply play a figurative role and only be needed to approve decisions and procedures taken by the Houthi leadership, joining other ministers who have no real duties.

The Houthis have formed a new government that will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor in keeping actual power to the militias themselves.

The new lineup includes a pro-Houthi figure, with no diplomatic background or experience, who was named foreign minister, replacing leading General People's Congress member Hisham Sharaf.

The appointment only fueled claims that the Houthis were seeking to eliminate their partners from rule. Al-Rahwi himself had no say in the lineup.

The Houthis announced the formation of their government on August 12. It met on August 17 to discuss its program, referred it to parliament the same day and by the next morning, an announcement was made that it was approved with no amendments or objections.

The incident with al-Rahwi has fueled speculation that the coming period will witness more struggles for power among the Houthis and their partners, whom they are trying to keep out of rule.

Observers noted that Kabisi is the son of a top Houthi leader. Qassem al-Kabisi is one of the founders of the group and is close to their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The senior Houthi officials believe they have the right to represent the Houthis in rule since they are its founders and oldest members.