On Feb. 6, the Yemeni State Security Court sentenced in absentia the
political leader of the Believing Youth to 15 years in prison, Middle East Newsline reported. Yehya Al
Houthi, the defendant, is the brother of Believing Youth commander Abdul
Malik Al Houthi and said to be living in Germany. Yemen has asked Interpol
to arrest Yehya.
The sources said the heavy fighting came in the wake of an agreement by the
Believing Youth for a ceasefire with both Saudi Arabia and Yemen. They said
both the rebels, called Houthis, and Yemeni forces were seeking to achieve
gains before any implementation of the ceasefire.
"After the Houthis agreed to the six conditions, the Supreme Security
Commission has drafted an implementation timetable that will be overseen by
five parliamentary committees," Yemeni presidential adviser Abdul Karim Al
Ariani said on Feb. 6. "If they agree to it and sign it, the war will end
immediately."
The sources said the Believing Youth also attacked Yemeni tribes deemed
loyal to the Sanaa government. One target was Yemeni tribal leader Othman
Mujali.
The Believing Youth reported heavy air strikes by Saudi Arabia. In a
Feb. 5 statement, the rebels said the Royal Saudi Air Force fired 174
air-to-ground missiles along the border with Yemen. Riyad has ruled out
talks with the rebels, including those concerning the fate of five Saudi
missing soldiers.
"We will talk only with the Yemeni government," Saudi Deputy Defense
Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan said.
