The Houthi militia's security crackdown in Al Jawf Governorate appears to be exploiting tribal disputes, exacerbating societal divisions and maintaining a state of tension among tribes to prevent unified opposition to their governance.
Recent events saw renewed tensions in a district of the governorate following the intervention of a Houthi security campaign in a tribal dispute that had been resolved through local mediation and a peace agreement. Local sources reported that a personal dispute between the Houthi-appointed security director of Al Jawf, Mohsen Manea Qa'sham, and Abdullah Azzan Al Sharif, a member of the Al Hamad tribe, escalated into tribal clashes four days prior. However, local mediators successfully contained the situation, leading to the signing of a tribal peace accord by the Al Azzan side, restoring calm to the area.
This period of tranquility was short-lived. Tensions resurfaced when a security force from what is termed "Al Jawf Security," led by Qa'sham, deployed to the area, surrounding the homes of the Al Azzan family. Local residents perceived this action as an escalation that would reignite the conflict. The sources added that the campaign also resulted in the detention of a family member at a security checkpoint and his subsequent imprisonment, without clear explanation or details regarding the charges.
This development raises questions about the extent of Houthi security forces' involvement in tribal conflicts, particularly when their intervention occurs after a successful local mediation. Instead of upholding agreements and preventing renewed confrontations, the security apparatus, according to local sources, appears to be contributing to further escalation.
The incident in Al Jawf is viewed not merely as an isolated personal dispute but as a reflection of the broader political and security environment imposed by the Houthi militia. By keeping tribal conflicts unresolved or reigniting them after containment, the militia can exhaust tribes through internal conflicts, diverting their attention from Houthi abuses and weakening their potential for unified action.
Analysts suggest that respecting tribal agreements and refraining from using security forces for personal vendettas are crucial for maintaining social peace in Al Jawf, a region already suffering from the ramifications of conflict and division. Violating these agreements and resorting to force after successful mediations risks perpetuating disputes and increasing resentment, thereby benefiting the Houthi's strategy of control through chaos.
The Al Azzan incident, according to local sources, illustrates a wider pattern in Houthi-controlled areas: maintaining societal division and tension. This strategy ensures that tribal factions remain preoccupied with internal disputes rather than uniting against the militia's oppressive practices. Observers note that any security action overriding a successful tribal mediation not only threatens one party to the dispute but also undermines local customs that have historically served as conflict resolution tools, fostering further animosity and enhancing the Houthis' ability to manage society through security influence and the dismantling of tribal power centers, rather than allowing their unification against the ruling authority.
