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Houthis Purge Security Institutions from Opposition Officials

A general view of historic buildings in Sanaa, Yemen (EPA)
A general view of historic buildings in Sanaa, Yemen (EPA)
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Houthis Purge Security Institutions from Opposition Officials

A general view of historic buildings in Sanaa, Yemen (EPA)
A general view of historic buildings in Sanaa, Yemen (EPA)

Houthi militias in Yemen did not stop at firing 904 interior ministry officials whom they accused of treason and have gone as far as deciding to terminate the service of another 150 intelligence officers, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Officers and officials sacked by the Iran-backed militia were removed from their posts for not displaying loyalty to the insurgency’s sectarian rule. They will be replaced by Houthi recruits who the Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Iranian intelligence trained.

A few days ago, Houthis officially declared having staged a purge against hundreds of security sector personnel working in areas under their control. The oppressive campaign featured seizing the salaries of employees and stripping them of their rights.

The Houthi supreme police council has finalized the legal procedures for the termination of 904 officials on the grounds that they have betrayed their country, pro-Houthi media outlets said.

In the Houthi-captured Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Houthi officials had recently held a meeting specifically for purging security institutions from workers who do not share the group’s sectarian values and fail to display total loyalty to the Houthi leader and allies in Iran, a Sanaa-based security source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity for security reasons, the source revealed that Houthi leaders, at the meeting, assigned the insurgency’s police to complete registering the names of other officers and individuals suspected of not having allegiance to the group so they can dismiss them.

Additionally, the Houthi council formed a committee to prepare criminal files of the officers who have joined the government and refer them to the prosecution.

Another committee was formed to gather information about other officials who have links to the government.

At the meeting, Abdulkarim al-Houthi, the Houthi’s interior minister, acknowledged that the decision to arbitrarily fire the workers directly reflected orders expressed by the group’s leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, in his latest speech.

Moreover, the source revealed the group sacked the officers it had repeatedly failed to persuade into attending their indoctrination courses and sectarian training camps.

It is noteworthy that Houthis have recently revoked the memberships of dozens of MPs loyal to the government.

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Barham Salih to Asharq Al-Awsat: Region Nearing Crisis…Iraq Best Witness to Violence

Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Barham Salih to Asharq Al-Awsat: Region Nearing Crisis…Iraq Best Witness to Violence

Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Former Iraqi President Barham Salih warned that the Middle East is on the edge of a crisis but remains hopeful, citing growing international efforts to stop the ongoing war.
He also pointed to Iraq’s fragile situation, with local groups becoming more involved in the conflict.
Speaking at a panel in London organized by Asharq Al-Awsat and moderated by journalist Najlaa Habriri, Salih—who was president from 2018 to 2022—shared his thoughts on key political and historical events in Iraq and the region.
This event was the first in a series of talks with policymakers, business leaders, and academics hosted by Asharq Al-Awsat as part of SRMG’s initiatives.
A New Face for the Middle East
Salih believes the Middle East is entering a dangerous new phase, with the current conflict giving the region a “new face.”
“We’re witnessing a great tragedy. The destruction in Gaza is now spreading to Lebanon,” Salih said.
He expressed concern over growing anger in the Arab world due to repeated cycles of violence but stressed the need for change.
“We must move away from this crisis and find new ways to help the region grow and stabilize,” he said.
Salih called for bold action, urging leaders to cool the rising tensions and prevent further loss of innocent lives. He also shared cautious optimism after recent talks with policymakers in Baghdad and Washington, noting efforts to calm the situation.
“I hear there’s serious work underway to de-escalate, and while I can't guarantee success, I still have hope for a ceasefire,” he said.
Salih expected a temporary halt to fighting, allowing people to return home, but emphasized the need for fresh thinking to end the conflict.
“We can't go back to the old ways without addressing the root causes of violence,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Salih acknowledged ongoing global efforts, especially from Washington, to reduce the war’s catastrophic impact on the region.
Iraq at the Heart of the Storm
For the former Iraqi president, Iraq is “the best example of the consequences of violence,” and now the country faces a tough situation, caught between conflicting interests.
However, Salih is confident that “the decision to go to war in Iraq lies solely with the state,” not with the various groups pushing for escalation.
Salih noted that Iraqis don’t just offer sympathy—they provide real support, as shown with the Palestinians and now the Lebanese. He pointed to the flow of humanitarian aid from both government and civilian sources, stressing that in Iraq, there is widespread support for just causes.
Despite this, Salih warned that Iraq’s own challenges “make it clear that the country should avoid getting involved in more conflict.”
While Iraq’s stability is fragile, he believes it can be maintained if the country steers clear of the ongoing escalation.
Salih reflected on Iraq’s history of violence and conflict since 1958 but expressed optimism after meeting with Iraqi leaders.
“I was in Baghdad two months ago, and the main topic was clear: either we become a strong state, or we don’t. There’s no middle ground,” he said.
Salih insisted that “the decision for war or peace is a national one, not something that can be decided by any group or movement.”
He voiced concern that some factions are pushing Iraq into deeper involvement in the regional conflict, warning that this could lead to broader, more destructive consequences.
“We must be careful to avoid being dragged into a wider regional war. Iraq needs time to heal,” he noted.
While Iraq holds deep support for the Palestinian cause, Salih emphasized that “slogans won’t solve anything. The solution is in taking concrete steps to help Palestinians and Lebanese, both of whom are suffering from the conflict.”
“Anyone seeking a better Middle East must firmly support the Palestinians' right to a state and their rights as a people,” he affirmed.
US Withdrawal from Iraq
“Yes, there’s an agreement,” Salih said, referring to discussions between Washington and Baghdad on the future of the US-led international coalition in Iraq.
He suggested the topic was likely addressed during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York.
An announcement about shifting the international coalition’s mission and gradually withdrawing US combat forces was expected, but Salih noted the recent escalation in Lebanon may have delayed it.
“Talks are ongoing, but nothing is finalized,” he added.
Salih acknowledged the key role US forces played in defeating ISIS, but emphasized that countries, including Iraq, seek full sovereignty.
While many believe Iraq’s stronger military means foreign troops are no longer needed, Salih disagrees. He argued that Iraq still requires intelligence support, especially for counterterrorism operations.
He pointed to reports of potential terrorist resurgence in the region, particularly in Syria.
“There are tens of thousands of angry individuals in the Middle East who could become a ticking time bomb, threatening Iraq and its neighbors. Just look at what’s happening in Idlib and the reappearance of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani,” said Salih.
He stressed that the risks are clear, even without specific intelligence.
“This is a global challenge, not just Iraq’s,” stressed Salih.
“I’m proud of the progress made by Iraqi forces, but there’s still a need for intelligence-sharing, especially in air operations,” he affirmed.