Who would be a Shiite rebel in northern Yemen these days? Blazing hot sun, no beach, pretty poor benefits and a near 100% chance of being killed in an air raid while dining on camel in a Saada cave. Conditions in northern Yemen aren't great, anyone who has been to Clifton or spent 20 years in a labour camp would probably agree. Yet these ill-equipped and rag tag rebels continue to fight what seems to be a losing battle. Amid decidedly tepid calls for peace by the UN and the USA and the massive YAWN from the world media, the rebels, led by the al-Houthi family, are losing dozens of men each day - civilians aren't faring much better. Tens of thousands of some of the poorest people on the planet (i.e. no TV) have been displaced and are living in UN and Red Crescent refugee camps dotted across the Saada governorate.
The rebel group is comprised of some 3,000 'fighters' and is supported by some locals. The Yemeni government on the other hand has over 30,000 soldiers, is supported by air and artillery and boast armoured brigades. Yet the rebel cause like so many other "just causes" is, seemingly, worthwhile. From what we at Mecasr have been able to glean from the highly trustworthy Yemen Information Ministry is that the rebels want to control their areas of influence. In other words they want to keep their guns. They also don't trust the government enough to allow them to station troops in their communities. The government, which is supposed to provide services, is rightly aggrieved that it can't exert its control over areas it is supposed to be providing law and order for. There is also a desire among the rebels to reinstate rule by the Imams (the holy guys). Back in the day, 1962 to be exact, the republicans (not like the Bush clan) overthrew the Zaidi imamate in the north. Since then the Shiites/rebels/Houthis have been highly aggrieved that they have been excluded from the ruling structures in the country. In fact one of their current demands is that Houthis be given top government jobs (queue the WTF). So, maybe there is something to fight for. And why not? If you had to live in squalid conditions with no beach, poor benefits and a near 100% chance of death, wouldn't you consider risking it all for a chance...just one chance at a better life? Yea. Probably not.
The rebel group is comprised of some 3,000 'fighters' and is supported by some locals. The Yemeni government on the other hand has over 30,000 soldiers, is supported by air and artillery and boast armoured brigades. Yet the rebel cause like so many other "just causes" is, seemingly, worthwhile. From what we at Mecasr have been able to glean from the highly trustworthy Yemen Information Ministry is that the rebels want to control their areas of influence. In other words they want to keep their guns. They also don't trust the government enough to allow them to station troops in their communities. The government, which is supposed to provide services, is rightly aggrieved that it can't exert its control over areas it is supposed to be providing law and order for. There is also a desire among the rebels to reinstate rule by the Imams (the holy guys). Back in the day, 1962 to be exact, the republicans (not like the Bush clan) overthrew the Zaidi imamate in the north. Since then the Shiites/rebels/Houthis have been highly aggrieved that they have been excluded from the ruling structures in the country. In fact one of their current demands is that Houthis be given top government jobs (queue the WTF). So, maybe there is something to fight for. And why not? If you had to live in squalid conditions with no beach, poor benefits and a near 100% chance of death, wouldn't you consider risking it all for a chance...just one chance at a better life? Yea. Probably not.
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