Barran Press
Areas under the control of the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, are witnessing sporadic acts of resistance, with citizens taking up arms against the group's abuses and repressive policies. These acts of defiance have been ongoing since the Houthis seized control of the capital Sana'a in September 2014.
"Barran Press" monitoring unit has documented three instances of citizen resistance in Houthi-controlled areas of the provinces of Hudaydah, Lahj, and Taiz over the past two months. These attacks resulted in the death and injury of 28 Houthi fighters.
Hudaydah: A Man's Stand Against a Houthi Raid
The most recent act of resistance took place in the Maglaf district, north of Hudaydah (western Yemen), on Tuesday. A lone citizen engaged in an unequal battle with a Houthi force, ultimately losing his life after killing three Houthi fighters, including a commander, and injuring others.
Local sources told "Barran Press" that the Houthis launched a military operation to raid the home of Ali Ma'di Hafzi in the village of Al-Manwab, Maglaf district, with the aim of arresting him. The arrest was allegedly due to a land dispute between Hafzi and a neighbor.
Sources said that after the Houthi forces attempted to force their way into Hafzi's home, he used his weapon to defend himself and his home, exchanging fire with the attackers.
The gunfire resulted in the death of the Houthi commander, Yasser Maqbel, appointed by the group as the head of criminal investigation and intelligence in the Maglaf district with the rank of colonel. Two of his companions were also killed.
Following this, the Houthis mobilized another armed force consisting of seven armored vehicles to besiege Hafzi's house. The ensuing confrontation lasted for about 10 hours, injuring three Houthi fighters. The attackers ultimately retreated without entering the house.
According to sources, the Houthis, listed as a terrorist organization, used artillery and mortars to target the house with shells, eventually killing Ali Ma'di Hafzi.
Lahj: Citizens Hold Houthi Abductors Accountable
On June 29th, citizens in the Aifou'a Al-Jabal area, in the Yousefiyin district of Lahj province (southern Yemen), detained Houthi fighters after they kidnapped a young woman.
Sources told "Barran Press" that a Houthi fighter abducted the young woman. After the incident was discovered, the girl was handed over to the Houthi-appointed security director of the Qubaita district, Mukhtar Bakil.
Citizens, distrustful of the Houthi security director due to his reputation for covering up abuses committed by Houthi fighters, seized the abductor.
Sources stated that the Houthis deployed a security force after the citizens detained the fighter, opening fire. This prompted the citizens to respond, resulting in the injury of two Houthi fighters. The citizens also managed to detain another fighter.
According to sources, Houthi leaders in Al-Rahada dispatched a larger security and military force to the area, accusing a local sheik loyal to the group of "helping the citizens and managing to convince them to hand over more than 40 people."
The Houthi force was able to retrieve their detained fighters from the citizens. Subsequently, the Houthis released the citizens and the kidnapped girl after she appealed to several figures loyal to the group in the area. Sources said that the Houthis sought to minimize the incident.
"Hero of Asharman": Yemeni Citizen Defies Houthi Raid
In a testament to courage and defiance, a Yemeni citizen named Mohammed Sadeq Al-Senaoui stood against a heavily armed Houthi force in the Asharman area of Ma'awiyah district, northeast of Taiz province, on May 10th.
The Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, launched a large-scale security operation in Taiz (southwest Yemen) targeting residents of the Asharman area. The group claimed the operation aimed to apprehend individuals they labeled as "wanted," including Mohammed Sadeq Abdo Al-Senaoui, a former prisoner released from their jails three years ago.
Al-Senaoui, a young father in his late 20s, refused to surrender to the Houthi force despite their overwhelming firepower. He engaged in fierce resistance, killing and injuring several Houthi fighters before ultimately losing his life. His story has become a legend of bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to freedom.
Al-Senaoui's heroic stand against a heavily armed Houthi force transcended the mountains of Asharman, resonating throughout Yemen. His sacrifice, leaving a heavy toll on the Houthi fighters, earned him the title "Hero of Asharman." His story serves as a powerful reminder of the unwavering spirit of resistance against oppression, even in the face of overwhelming odds.