Al-Bayda (South24 Center)

Violent confrontations have erupted in Qayfah in the Northern governorate of Al-Bayda between the Houthis and armed tribesmen. This came in the wake of a major attack launched by the Houthis at dawn on Thursday on ’Hankat Al Masoud‘ in Al-Qurayshyah district, including bombing civilian houses with drones. 

According to local sources, the military campaign began after the Houthis imposed a tight siege on the village for over a week in which the entry of food and medical supplies has been blocked, deepening the suffering of civilians. 

Sources indicated that the Houthi attack was accompanied by intense shelling using artillery and drones, killing a civilian and injuring 13 others including three women. This is in addition to the destruction of houses and farms. 

According to residents' accounts reported by local media platforms, the first hours of the attack witnessed violent clashes, interspersed by Houthi storming attempts that were met with strong resistance by armed tribal men. 

#BREAKING

Footage shows Houthi militia shelling residential homes in the Qaifa area of Al-Bayda governorate, today#south24 pic.twitter.com/a12O7BalpM

— South24 | English (@South24E) January 9, 2025

During the confrontations, the tribes were able to carry out a counterattack against Houthi locations, leading to the destruction of two military checkpoints and inflicting losses within the ranks of the attacking forces, including the killing of a field commander affiliated with the group. 

’South24 Center‘ hasn’t so far been able to know the accurate details about the field situation. 

In a statement, the Houthis announced that their military operation targeted “active terrorist ISIS elements in the area who are backed by local tribes”, according to their claims. 

The statement stressed that the attack came as a response to what the group described as a “terrorist attack” against their forces during an attempt to shut down a mosque “used to recruit extremist elements”.

Qayfah is a delicate area that has witnessed repeated tensions between the Houthis and the tribes over the past years. 

In March 2024, at least 12 civilians were killed and dozens injured due to a bombing that targeted some houses in Radaa, the capital of Al-Bayda. The Houthis acknowledged that some of their armed elements are responsible for the crime. However, they described it as an “individual act”.

Over the past years, the Houthis have carried out military campaigns to suppress tribal uprising in the governorates of Hajjah, Al-Bayda, Marib, and Al-Jawf in the North. 

US Ambassador Steven Fagin, in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Yemen Saturday, said: “We strongly condemn the Houthi attacks on innocent civilians in Al-Bayda governate.” 

“The deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future”, the statement added.