Tribal tensions have escalated in Yemen's Giza province following deadly clashes with Houthi militias, signaling a widening rift in areas under the group's control. The escalating confrontations appear to be fueled by security campaigns conducted by the militia.
Three members of the Al Ja'eed tribe were killed and two others injured on Saturday evening during clashes with Houthi militia fighters at a checkpoint in the Khab wa Al Sha'af district of Giza. Tribal sources confirmed the incident occurred at the Houthi-controlled "Al Muheir" checkpoint after militia elements stopped and attempted to search several Al Ja'eed tribesmen returning to their villages. The situation quickly devolved into intense gunfire.
The deceased were identified as Hamad Hadi Bakhran, Hamad Musfer Shanan, and Mubarak Abdullah Shanan. The injured were Mohsen Saleh Zahban and Abdulrab Mansour. The area has since been in a state of heightened tension and mobilization between the tribe and the Houthi militia, with concerns of further conflict.
These clashes followed just hours after two Houthi elements were killed in separate confrontations with unknown gunmen at the "Qahab Al Hisan" checkpoint in the Balad Al Qayf area of the same district. The Houthi group swiftly accused the Al Ja'eed tribe of involvement, an accusation the tribe vehemently denied, labeling it an attempt to justify an escalation against them.
This development comes days after similar violent clashes occurred in the Al Murayshi district of Giza. On Thursday, fierce fighting erupted between tribal fighters and a Houthi security force, marking one of the bloodiest confrontations in the province recently. Local sources reported that the fighting began when a Houthi security force entered areas belonging to the Al Juthailan tribes, a branch of the Dhi Musa tribes, as part of a security campaign. The force met armed resistance from the tribesmen, leading to widespread engagement involving various weaponry.
Those clashes resulted in the deaths of two tribesmen and injuries to four others, while the Houthi force also sustained casualties, though no precise figures were released. The confrontations also led to the destruction of several Houthi military vehicles, illustrating the severity and scale of the fighting.
These recurring incidents highlight a significant increase in friction between the Houthi militia and several tribes in Giza province. The tribal communities are increasingly resisting the Houthi security campaigns, which frequently culminate in armed clashes and casualties on both sides. Analysts suggest these repeated confrontations reflect growing tribal rejection of Houthi policies, with accusations that the group uses force to assert influence and subjugate tribal areas, potentially leading to further instability in the province.
