46 Killed in Sectarian Clashes in Northern Yemen

Salafists Report Fighting With Houthi Secessionists

by Jason Ditz, January 26, 2012

At least 46 people are reported killed in the northern Hajjah Governorate of Yemen as pro-regime forces fight the secessionist Houthi movement.

One of the leaders of the pro-regime forces, a Salafi, claimed that 40 of the slain were Houthis and the other six were Salafists. He also said a large number of Salafist fighters were wounded in the clashes.

The Houthis claim they are winning the fights, which they described as ongoing. A Houthi leader accused Saudi Arabia of backing the Salafist faction, and vowed to “behead those mercenaries” who killed Houthis.

The Houthis are a Shi’ite faction that is the majority in the far north of Yemen, along the ill-defined border with Saudi Arabia. They have regularly clashed with both the Saudis and the Saleh government, and have achieved de facto independence since mass uprisings began elsewhere in Yemen.

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