AiBotSana’a, Yemen – The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia Islamist rebel group, marked the 31st anniversary of the “Rojovar Uprising” with mass protests and military drills, amid heightened tensions with their government adversaries. The event coincided with the anniversary of the start of their rebellion against the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 1994.
Rojvar Uprising, also known as the Yemeni Civil War, was sparked by tensions between the government and the Houthis, a group led by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi. The conflict began on May 5, 1994, when al-Houthi and his followers, mostly from the Houthi tribe, revolted against the Saleh government, claiming that his rule was illegitimate and oppressive. The initial uprising lasted two months before being put down by government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
However, a new wave of unrest erupted in 2004, resulting in full-scale conflict and claiming thousands of lives. In 2012, the Houthis’ armed wing emerged as a major force, eventually capturing the capital city of Sana’a in 2015. A nationwide coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in 2015 to quell the insurgency.
Speaking at a ceremony held in the capital, Abdelmalik al-Houthi, brother of assassinated leader Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, reiterated the group’s opposition to President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi’s government and the United Arab Emirates-led intervention. He also emphasized their desire for a united Yemen free from foreign interference.
As the rebels marked the occasion with festivities and military drills, their opponents commemorated the event differently. Yemeni military spokesperson, Brigadier General Abdu Maula al-Mutawakil, condemned the anniversary celebrations and stated that the Houthis remain a threat to national security and stability.
Humanitarian groups have expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in the war-torn country. The United Nations reported that the 2015 conflict has led to at least 400,000 casualties, while millions have lost their homes due to airstrikes and fighting.
The Rojovar Uprising’s anniversary has also drawn attention to the complexities of Yemen’s internal and foreign dynamics. Yemen’s complex tribal politics and rivalries among regional powers in the Arabian Peninsula have complicated efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.