In the heart of Yemen, where geography intertwines with politics and where the tribe is more than just an identity—it is the first line of defense in times of crisis—voices are rising in Amran, declaring their impatience and calling for mass mobilization.
In a massive gathering, the sheikhs of Hashid and Bakil, Yemen’s two largest tribes, convened in Marib—the city that has become a fortress of resilience against the Houthi advance. With stern expressions and resolute gazes, the tribal leaders proclaimed: “The time has come to restore the state!” They are not mere spectators of Yemen’s complex political and military landscape; they are men as familiar with weapons as they are with the land itself. They recognize that Yemen stands at a perilous crossroads.
They affirmed their full readiness to engage directly in battle alongside the national army against the Houthi militia—a militia that has turned Amran into a launching pad for its expansionist ambitions, transforming it into a weapons depot and a military stronghold since the UN truce in 2022. Amran is not just a province; it is a strategic gateway linking Saada, the Houthi stronghold, to Sanaa, the capital still under their grip. Controlling Amran means curbing the Houthis and weakening their ability to expand into other provinces.
Thus, the tribes felt compelled to act, realizing that the current situation has become unbearable and that the suffering of civilians has reached an intolerable level.
A Crisis in the South
While this scene unfolded in the north, another crisis was worsening in the south—not on the battlefield but in daily life. In Aden, the temporary capital of the legitimate government and once the bright face of Yemen, the city found itself plunged into total darkness. Electricity had completely shut down, hospitals were on the brink of closure, and warnings surfaced about the potential collapse of the water supply.
The once-bustling streets became an arena for public outrage. Residents of Al-Mansoura and other neighborhoods in Aden took to the streets in protest against the collapse of public services. Holding banners filled with anger, they demanded that the government fulfill its promises to fix the electricity sector, which suffers from a severe fuel crisis. The government has struggled to pay for diesel and mazut, exacerbating the crisis.
In response, the government, led by Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, announced urgent measures to secure fuel for power stations and initiated intensive efforts to pump crude oil from Safer in Marib to prevent Aden from being completely engulfed in darkness.
Human Rights Abuses in Houthi-Controlled Areas
Meanwhile, more than ten Yemeni human rights organizations have condemned the horrific human rights violations in Houthi-controlled areas, which recently led to the death of the mother of detained activist Rabab Al-Madwahi.
In a joint statement, the organizations denounced the tragic circumstances surrounding her death, saying: “She passed away in grief and agony over her daughter, who remains imprisoned by the Houthis, after enduring prolonged psychological torment and uncertainty about her fate.”
The Houthis had abducted Al-Madwahi in June 2024 as part of a sweeping crackdown on UN office employees and embassy staff, accusing them of fabricated espionage charges. These repressive practices endanger innocent lives and constitute blatant violations of human rights and international law.
The organizations also strongly condemned the death of Ahmed Baalawi, a humanitarian worker with the World Food Programme, who was tortured to death in Saada. Their statement described his killing as “a painful reminder of the grave abuses committed against humanitarian workers and international staff in Yemen.”
They further criticized the Houthis for their continued use of torture, inhumane detention conditions, and the deprivation of detainees from contacting their families or receiving visits—serious violations of human rights and a direct challenge to international law and the global community.
The human rights organizations called for an immediate, independent international investigation into all cases of arbitrary detention and deaths directly or indirectly caused by imprisonment, as in the case of Al-Madwahi’s mother. They also demanded the immediate release of Rabab Al-Madwahi and all innocent detainees held unjustly by the Houthis, ensuring their psychological and physical well-being.
Additionally, they stressed the need for a thorough and independent investigation into the death of humanitarian worker Ahmed Baalawi in Saada, holding those responsible accountable, and ensuring justice for all victims of these violations.
