Houthi 'Zeinabeyyat' Wing Storms Women Union HQ in Ibb

Meeting at the Yemeni Women's Union headquarters in Ibb (Yemeni Women's Union)
Meeting at the Yemeni Women's Union headquarters in Ibb (Yemeni Women's Union)
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Houthi 'Zeinabeyyat' Wing Storms Women Union HQ in Ibb

Meeting at the Yemeni Women's Union headquarters in Ibb (Yemeni Women's Union)
Meeting at the Yemeni Women's Union headquarters in Ibb (Yemeni Women's Union)

The women's wing of the Houthi militia intelligence, known as Zeinabeyyat, stormed the second headquarters of the Yemen Women's Union in Ibb governorate a year after they took over other offices, dismissing the leadership and appointing the group's loyalists.

After expelling over 60 women in a craft skills training program, the offices were converted into private residences.

"Thugs" were allowed to storm the building of the Writers Union in the governorate and destroy its contents, and according to three local sources and officials, the situation remains the same.

Local sources in the province told Asharq Al-Awsat that armed members of the Zeinabeyyat brigades, led by Suad al-Shami, stormed the second headquarters of the Yemeni Women's Union in Ibb.

The local authority in the governorate, affiliated with the Popular Congress wing, did not respond to the incident.

The head of the Yemeni Women's Union branch in the governorate, Hayat al-Kinai, sent a complaint to the Houthi-controlled governor, Abdulwahid Salah, about the incident.

Kinai stated that the women broke the door lock and replaced it with another after expelling 63 women participating in craft skills courses, urging the governor to intervene.

The document, which Asharq Al-Awsat reviewed, shows a recommendation from Salah to his agent, Mohammad al-Qasimi, to act according to the law, but, as expected, he did not take any action against the Zeinabeyyat, a source in the local authority confirmed.

The source indicated that this is the second incident targeting the headquarters of the Union in the governorate, recalling that in mid-November 2021, Shami stormed the Union offices in the al-Dhihar district.

Shami assigned a new administrative body consisting of nine figures affiliated with the militias to run the branch under her leadership.

The Houthi militias targeted women's organizations in particular and threatened to close the central headquarters of the Yemeni Women's Union.

The head of the so-called Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Faisal Modhesh, threatened to shut down the Union's leadership for organizing feminist events, including the celebration of International Women's Day.

Feminist activists reported that Modhesh informed the Union that it is no longer of use, that its mission became limited to promoting Western ideas, and that it must be closed permanently.

The Union was banned from organizing any event in any hotel or hall and could not receive approval, which forced it to organize any event in its headquarters.

The Houthi militia's intelligence had previously stormed the Businesswomen's Club in Sanaa and stopped a workshop discussing the role of businesswomen in development. Participants in the seminar were expelled, claiming there was mixing between genders, which the militia forbid.

The militia then closed the club, established two decades ago, and had a prominent presence in economic and social issues, ensuring the presence and participation of women in commercial activity.

The Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs closed dozens of independent civil society organizations because it refused to work according to its wishes.

The Council established organizations run by its leaders and supervisors and forced relief organizations to work with them to monitor all activities and manage the distribution of relief aid to militia followers and families.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)

Hamas sources have described the ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha as “more serious” than previous rounds, when they said both Israel and the United States lacked genuine commitment.

One Hamas figure told Asharq Al-Awsat that while it remains difficult to predict the outcome, “there is cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough, especially given the clear American pressure aimed at reaching an agreement soon.”

The talks, which began Sunday evening in the Qatari capital, focus on a potential two-month ceasefire that would halt military operations and secure the release of hostages from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump.

According to the sources, negotiations have not stalled and are expected to continue for several days. “At least for now, they cannot be described as negative,” one official said. “Mediators are making serious efforts to achieve progress and conclude a deal as quickly as possible.”

If talks continue positively, the sources said an announcement could come as early as Thursday. But they stressed that any breakthrough depends primarily on Israel’s willingness to accept key Palestinian demands, particularly the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guarantees that the war will end definitively.

The sources declined to specify any obstacles currently impeding talks, preferring to “wait for the outcome in the coming hours or days.”

Hamas negotiators, they said, remain committed to “securing the Palestinian demands submitted as amendments to the latest US proposal drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff.”

“These conditions are essential for a fair ceasefire that gives the people of Gaza hope the war will truly end,” the official added, “and prevents Israel from resuming attacks under any pretext as long as negotiations continue.”

The diplomatic efforts coincide with continued Israeli military escalation in Gaza, where intensive airstrikes have struck apartment blocks, shelters, and aid distribution points. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll has risen to 57,523 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israeli ground forces have expanded operations in northern, southern, and western Khan Yunis, advancing further into Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods. In the south, the military is pushing into the Zeitoun district, edging closer to Gaza’s Old City and the Latin Convent, which houses thousands of displaced civilians.

Israel reportedly aims to widen a buffer zone inside Gaza by over a kilometer - an issue it also tried to cement in January’s ceasefire agreement. Hamas is insisting this time on a clear, staged Israeli withdrawal, with agreed timelines and maps, while Israel appears determined to retain positions near the border fence and along the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt.

Trump said Sunday there was “a good chance” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement “this week” before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. He added the US is also working with Israel on several issues, perhaps including a permanent deal with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday for talks with Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.