The clash for power and wealth is no longer the primary cause for the wave of assassinations among the ranks of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen.
Informed sources revealed that the need for vengeance against the Houthis due to the crimes they have committed against the Yemenis has led to assassinations targeting the militants.
Security sources in Sanaa confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat a rise in the reprisals, against Houthi leaders and gunmen, committed by regular citizens.
These assassinations have expanded beyond the Houthi-held capital with the latest attempt taking place in Bayda city. The victim was prominent Houthi member Mounir al-Samawi, who was appointed by the militias as security director of the city.
One of his companions was killed and another wounded in the failed attempt against his life when aides loyal to a tribal leader, who is loyal to the militias, opened fire at Samawi at a local hospital. The Houthi official fled with his life.
The attack was prompted by the death of a civilian under torture at a Houthi detention center.
In Sanaa, security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that since the beginning of the year over 76 Houthi leading members have been targeted by assassinations. The majority of the targets are blamed by the citizens for the crimes and humiliation they have been subjected to by the militias.
Forty-three of the assassinations were a success, while the 33 others led to varying injuries among the targets.
The sources said that the need for vengeance for the crimes committed by the Houthis against the people was the driving force behind the assassinations. They cited the various crimes committed by the militias, such as arbitrary detention, murder, looting, torture and forced recruitment in Sanaa and its countryside, and the cities of Dhamar, Ibb, Amran, al-Mahwit and others.
The Houthis have not reported on the operations that have targeted dozens of their officials. They only reported the failed assassinations, which they usually blame on “outlaws” and enemies of their “cause”.
Sanaa has witnessed the greatest number of assassinations, followed by Ibb.
The most recent attack took place some ten days ago and targeted Abou Hussein al-Gharbani.
A source told Asharq Al-Awsat that gunmen set up an ambush for the Houthi leader in the Kahza area and killed him and several of his companions in a hail of bullets.
Gharbani has been accused by the locals of forcing dozens of families, under the threat of violence, to turn over their children to join Houthi ranks so that they can be sent to battle frontlines.
