Barran Press
On December 23, 2023, local sources in Sana’a reported that the Houthi group, classified as a terrorist organization, has released two suspects linked to the murder of tribal leader Sheikh Sadiq Abu Shaar from Ibb province, escalating tensions and prompting a vow of retaliation from tribal leaders.
According to sources speaking to "Barran Press," the Houthis freed the suspects shortly after their arrest for the assassination of Sheikh Abu Shaar, who was shot dead in late November on the streets of Sana’a.
Close friends of the Abu Shaar family revealed that Houthi leaders in the capital pressured for the release of Alawi Al-Amir and another individual involved in the crime, following their brief detention.
The family and several tribal elders from Ibb accuse the Houthis of stalling the case, as they have prevented it from being referred to the public prosecutor, thereby shielding all parties involved.
In response, tribal leaders in Ibb have pledged to ramp up their protests and demand a new meeting to address the release of the suspects, insisting that they will explore all avenues to compel the Houthis to meet their demands.
Over the past two days, the Houthis have restricted demonstrations in Ibb to show solidarity with the Abu Shaar family, deploying armed forces throughout the city to prevent protests from escalating.
The deadline set by Ibb residents for Houthi leaders to fulfill promises regarding the arrest of the remaining killers and the prosecution of all involved lapsed on Saturday without action, further inflaming community anger.
Sheikh Sadiq Abu Shaar was killed on November 25 by a group of armed men led by Alawi Al-Amir, the Houthi-appointed police chief of the Shumaila district, in the Dar Salm area south of Sana’a.