Following 100 hours of relentless attacks involving heavy weaponry, including tanks and drones, the Iran-backed Houthi group concluded its assault on the "Al-Masoud" tribe in the village of Al-Hanakah, located in the Al-Qurayshiyah district of Al-Baydha Governorate, central Yemen.

The villagers were living their daily lives when an accidental shooting incident triggered a disproportionate response from the Houthis. They mobilized weapons to wage a brutal campaign against the defenseless residents.

Columns of tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and drones encircled the village of Al-Hanakah, imposing a stifling siege. The bombardment began on Thursday with Houthi forces unleashing a barrage of weapons on civilian homes and properties.

Social media platforms circulated harrowing scenes of the attack, showcasing its destructive power. Citizens were forced to document the burning of their homes, their cries echoing amid the chaos.

A day after storming the village, local sources reported that the Houthis burned, blew up, and looted 22 homes. Concerns are growing regarding an increase in crimes against residents, exacerbated by the continued disruption of communication and internet services in the village and surrounding areas.

Nihilistic Wars

Al-Baydha was among the first governorates targeted by the Iran-backed Houthi group following their takeover of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, on September 21, 2014. Despite achieving full military control over the region, the Houthis have yet to subdue its resilient population.

The Houthis have imposed their sectarian ideology, alien to Yemeni society, and installed authoritarian officials with unchecked power. These officials engage in acts of brutality, including extrajudicial killings and the destruction of civilian homes, creating a climate of fear and oppression.

The Houthi supervisors have exploited their sweeping powers to undermine tribal sheikhs and community leaders, eroding their roles and violating long-standing tribal customs. This blatant attempt to degrade local leadership and force the tribes into submission under a sectarian project—one their ancestors had fiercely resisted—has provoked widespread resistance among the tribesmen.

In this report, Barran Press documents more than 10 wars waged by the Houthi group against the tribes of Al-Baydha over the past decade. These campaigns often involved deadly sieges, the bombing of homes and civilian infrastructure with heavy weaponry, and brutal assaults on villages, leaving their inhabitants abused and displaced. The military offensives were invariably accompanied by systematic propaganda aimed at discrediting the tribes, branding them as “terrorists” to justify the violence.

Why Target the Tribes of Al-Bayda?

Addressing the reasons behind the Houthi wars against the tribes of Al-Baydha, particularly those in Rada’a, Yemeni conflict researcher Nadwa Dawsari explained to Barran Press that the Houthis harbor deep fears about the region. “The Houthis are greatly concerned about Al-Baydha and its tribes because of their historical legacy in resisting the Imamate and their pivotal role in the September 26 Revolution,” Dawsari noted.

She emphasized the strategic importance of Al-Bayda, which lies at the center of eight governorates, making it critical from security, military, and political perspectives. “The Houthis fear the possibility of losing control over the governorate, knowing the deep animosity the tribes hold toward them. They are aware that any military opposition would gain tribal support, which is why they are taking preemptive measures,” Dawsari added.

Regarding the Houthis’ tactics of "using heavy weapons, terrorizing residents, burning homes, and violating honor," Yemeni researcher Nadwa Dawsari explained that their ultimate goal is to instill fear and subjugate the population. “The aim is to break the will of the people, ensuring they are too terrified to resist,” she stated.

The Hamat Sarar Crime

Prior to their assault on Al-Masoud, the Houthi group launched a similar attack on August 8, 2024, targeting the village of Hamat Sarar, located in the Qifah area of the neighboring Wald Rabi’ district. This attack followed a familiar pattern: a full siege using heavy weapons and drones, similar to the tactics employed in Al-Masoud.

The assault came in response to protests by the villagers over the killing of one of their own at a Houthi checkpoint established at the village entrance. This checkpoint was part of a broader network of control points set up by the group across the area.

Social media activists shared footage of large Houthi military reinforcements being mobilized from Rada’a city and additional forces summoned from Ans in Dhamar governorate to tighten the siege in preparation for an invasion.

The SAM Organization for Rights and Freedoms condemned the Houthi actions, stating, “The crime of Hamat Sarar is not an isolated incident but part of the Houthis’ broader repressive strategy.” The organization highlighted the group’s history of “horrific violations and crimes against civilians in Al-Bayda,” framing the attack as emblematic of their ongoing brutality.

According to the SAM, these violations are part of the Houthis' broader strategy to subjugate the people of Al-Baydha and impose their political ideology, rooted in the theory of "divine selection." This ideology asserts their inherent right to rule and brands any opposition as "unforgivable rebellion and hostility."

SAM also highlighted that the Houthis use these attacks as revenge campaigns, motivated by fears of losing control over other villages. The organization referenced a post by Houthi journalist Osama Sari, who at the time made inflammatory accusations against the people of Hamat Sarar, labeling them as Al-Qaeda members and likening them to Israelis.

Dawsari, in her interview with Barran Press, stated the use of such rhetoric as part of the Houthis' systematic propaganda to justify their oppressive actions and vilify the local population.

Al-Hofra Neighborhood

On March 19, 2024, a Houthi military campaign targeted Al-Hofra neighborhood in the city of Rada’a, unleashing devastation by blowing up nine houses with their residents still inside. The attack claimed the lives of approximately 35 civilians, most of whom were women and children, leaving many others injured.

Rather than taking responsibility for the atrocity or offering compensation to the victims, the Houthis sought to evade accountability. They pressured residents to abandon their demands for justice, despite the crime sending shockwaves through Al-Baydha, Yemen, and the international community.

Amnesty International condemned the incident, calling it a “horrific attack” that resulted in “the killing and wounding of dozens of civilians.” In a post on its official account on the X platform, the organization stated, “The victims of this heinous attack and their families deserve truth, justice, and compensation.”

Khobza Village

Khobza Village, located in the Al-Quraishiyah district of Al-Baydha and home to approximately two thousand residents, has endured a history of Houthi brutality.

On July 12, 2022, the Houthis launched a violent and indiscriminate bombardment on the village, using tanks, rockets, mortars, and drones. This assault followed a ten-day siege, ostensibly to apprehend an individual allegedly responsible for an attack on a Houthi position five kilometers from the village. Despite the residents' denial of any knowledge of the perpetrator and their willingness to cooperate, the Houthis proceeded with their attack.

On July 21, the residents of Khobza issued an urgent appeal to the International Red Cross, seeking assistance for the wounded and requesting the establishment of a safe corridor for the delivery of medical supplies. They condemned the siege and bombardment as unjustified and lacking any legal or religious basis, while pleading for international intervention to halt the violence.

A distress call from Khobza Village in Al-Quraishiyah district revealed that "dozens were killed and wounded" during a recent Houthi assault. Residents held the Houthis, "fully responsible for the crimes committed against the village and its people."

According to  SAM, the attack and shelling on Khobza between July 12-19, 2022, resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including two girls and a woman, and injured seven others. Over eight homes, water wells, and Qat farms were damaged or destroyed.

SAM pointed that these violations were not isolated incidents. Since their invasion of the village on November 14, 2014, the Houthis have committed approximately 800 violations, including the killing of 43 civilians and the injury of 86 others. These atrocities have displaced over 257 families, razed 16 homes, and damaged 80 homes, a school, a health unit, and two mosques.

SAM described Khobza as a "ghost village" due to the extensive destruction and devastation caused by the Houthi attacks. They emphasized that the deliberate targeting of civilians constitutes a serious war crime and demanded action to stop these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Al-Zuob Tribe: A Long History of Houthi Revenge

Among all the Houthi wars in Al-Baydha, their campaigns against the Al-Zuwab tribe—comprising over 4,000 people—stand out as the longest, most violent, and brutal.

In the first six years of their invasion of Al-Baydha, the Houthis launched four separate military offensives against the village of Al-Zuob. The first attack occurred in late October 2014, shortly after the group entered the governorate. Despite the violence of the assault, the tribe's members were able to successfully confront the Houthis.

By mid-2015, the Houthis resumed their attacks on Al-Zuob, this time employing rocket launchers to bombard homes and forcibly displace entire families. However, after fierce resistance, the tribe succeeded in pushing the Houthis out of the village, marking a rare defeat for the group in the governorate.

The Houthis' campaigns against the Al-Zuob tribe were not limited to armed assaults; they also exploited social ties to infiltrate the village. Once embedded, Houthi elements carried out arbitrary arrests, raided and destroyed homes, and imposed heavy taxes on local farmers, deepening the villagers' suffering.

In March 2016, the Houthis launched a third attack on Al-Zuob following a two-week siege. This assault claimed the lives of several villagers and blocked medical treatment for the wounded, including women and children. Critical infrastructure, such as water tanks, communication networks, and power lines, was deliberately targeted. The attack ended with a mediated agreement, though the damage to the village was extensive.

By mid-August 2019, the Houthis initiated a fourth offensive to capture Al-Zuob after consolidating control over the remaining areas of Qifah. By October 2021, they had secured control over the entire Al-Bayda governorate.

The SAM condemned the Houthis' actions in Al-Zuob, labeling them as "war crimes." SAM highlighted that the Houthis deliberately destroyed essential infrastructure and resources in the village as an act of revenge and collective punishment against civilians. The estimated losses suffered by the residents amounted to hundreds of millions.

According to SAM, the Houthi conflicts with the Al-Zuob tribe resulted in significant human and infrastructural losses. SAM documented the killing of over 40 civilians, including women and children, and the injury of 60 others. More than 150 civilians were arrested, and over 450 families were displaced from their homes.

The Houthi attacks resulted in the complete destruction of 30 houses and the partial destruction of 200 others. Three schools were destroyed, depriving over 600 students of their education. Additionally, seven water wells were destroyed, a gas station and an oil tanker were burned, 11 houses and three shops were looted, six cars were damaged, and 37 cars and tankers were looted. A private hospital was also occupied and looted.

Al-Oqla and Al-Humaiqan: Constant Targets

In 2017, the Houthi group launched an invasion of the Al-Oqla area in  Al-Sawma'a district, east of Al-Baydha, employing tanks and Katyusha rockets under the pretext of pursuing "wanted individuals." This attack, however, faced fierce resistance from the local tribesmen.

Over the next three years, the villages of Al-Oqla emerged as a fixed target for armed Houthi campaigns that expanded to include villages in the Al-Zaher district, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties and significant material losses to homes and property.

In April 2020, they launched violent shelling with various types of weapons on residential villages in the Al-Oqla area, which continued for days, leaving civilians dead and wounded, and damage and destruction to homes and property.

Among the victims was the martyrdom of the girl Farah Salim Al-Haisi (5 years old), and the injury of her pregnant mother, after a shell fell on their home on April 21.

The shelling targeted homes and notables in the areas of Al-Masabigh and Al-Madlouk, amidst a state of panic among women and children.

A few days before, it launched intensive shelling with various types of heavy weapons on several villages and populated areas in the Al-Zaher Al-Humaiqan district, causing damage to many homes, including homes in the valley of Al-Saeed, and causing panic among women and children.

Al-Awad War

In June 2020, Al-Baydha witnessed one of its most significant battles as the Houthis clashed with the Al-Awad tribes and their allies in the governorate. This confrontation stemmed from the Houthis' violent transgressions, particularly the killing of Jihad Al-Asbahi, a woman from Al-Taffa District, on April 27, 2020.

The Houthis attacked Al-Asbahi's home with over 30 military vehicles equipped with heavy weapons. They killed her and looted her home, sparking outrage across Al-Baydha. The tribes demanded justice and retribution, but the Houthis attempted to evade accountability, further inflaming tensions.

In response, Sheikh Yasser Al-Awadhi, a prominent tribal leader, called on the tribes of Al-Bayda to unite and prepare to fight the Houthis if justice was not served. For two months, tensions escalated, with tribal forces mobilizing in anticipation of a conflict.

While mediators worked to de-escalate the situation, the Houthis mobilized substantial military reinforcements from Saada, Sana’a, and Dhamar. These forces were stationed near the Radman and As-Suwaydiyah districts, strategically preparing for an assault on Al-Awadhi strongholds.

In June, the Houthis launched a large-scale attack on the tribal areas in Radman district. Employing artillery, rockets, and drones, they overpowered the tribal forces. The campaign concluded with the Houthis asserting control over the areas and exacting revenge on the tribesmen and their leaders.

Al-Taffa crime and the subsequent Al-Awad War exemplify the Houthis’ systematic approach of targeting tribes that resist their authority, using overwhelming force and punitive measures to subdue dissent. These actions have left a lasting scar on the social fabric of Al-Baydha and Yemen as a whole.

Humaidhah Village and Houthi-ISIS Alliance

In early 2015, the Houthi group launched an attack on the village of Humaidhah Shatir in the Wald Rabi’a district, northwest of Al-Bayda. The Al-Salouh family, part of the Al-Shatir tribe affiliated with the Qifa tribes, resisted this aggression.

Amid the chaos, ISIS appeared in several districts of Al-Bayda and attempted to establish control over Humaidhah by setting up armed checkpoints at its entrances. However, the Al-Salouh family confronted ISIS as well, forcing them to retreat.

Seeking revenge against Al-Salouh and their supporters, the Houthis later formed a strategic alliance with ISIS. This unlikely partnership culminated in a joint assault on the village in 2018. The Houthis and ISIS militants imposed a severe siege on the village for nearly a year, coupled with sporadic shelling.

The siege ended with the storming of the village in mid-2018. According to the American Center for Justice (ACJ), this "retaliatory" campaign led to significant destruction and loss of life. The human rights center's October 2023 report, "Tears on the Rubble," documented a series of grave human rights violations committed by the Houthis. The report detailed the killing of five civilians, including a seven-year-old girl, and the injury of six others, including a woman.

Furthermore, the report highlighted the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including the bombing of five houses, the destruction of eight farms and a well, and the looting of property such as cars and livestock. These actions resulted in the displacement of 60 individuals, primarily women and children.

Al-Mashdal: A Devastating Revenge

On August 20, 2015, the Houthi group launched an offensive on Wadi Al-Halq in the Al-Mashdal area of Al-Bayda District, following a fierce resistance led by Sheikh Qasim Hussein Al-Mashdal and his sons.

The Houthis stormed three of Sheikh Al-Mashdal's homes, looting them before rigging them with explosives and leveling them to the ground. Two months later, they stormed the village of Al-Ayouf, raiding and destroying a fourth home belonging to Sheikh Al-Mashdal.

Al-Baydha has witnessed a disturbing pattern of house bombings by the Houthis. The "Tears on the Rubble" report, released in October 2023, documented 713 instances of house bombings across 15 Yemeni governorates between March 2014 and September 2023. Al-Bayda stands out with 118 documented cases of house bombings. This includes 24 homes in the Qurshiyah District and 22 homes in the Wald Rabi' District.

Political History of Al-Baydha

Al-Bayda holds a unique position in Yemen's history, both geographically and politically. Centrally located in Yemen, it connects to eight governorates—four in the north and four in the south—making it a strategic hub for trade, governance, and cultural exchange.

Historically, Al-Bayda has been characterized by its relative independence from central ruling authorities, whether from the British colonial administration in southern Yemen or the autocratic rule of the Imamate in Sana’a to the north. The region was governed by the Sultans of Al-Rassas and influenced by prominent tribal sheikhs, including those from Al-Humayqan, Al-Azan, Al-Dabban, Al-Muzaffar, and Al Awad.

Historical Capitals and Centers

Al-Baydha’s historical significance is deeply rooted in its role as the capital of the Sarw Madhhaj district (centered in the city of Hasi), a position it maintained until the end of the 10th century.

Al-Baydha is home to numerous other archaeological sites and cities that played significant roles in Yemen’s Islamic history. Key historical landmarks include Al-Meqranah; which served as the capital during the reign of the Tahiri dynasty under Sultan Amer bin Abdul Wahhab in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Also, Wa'lan is an archaeological center near Rada’a renowned for its rich Himyarite antiquities.