US embassy cable - 05SANAA949

S E C R E T SANAA 000949 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015 
TAGS: PINR, PREL, PTER, YM, DOMESTIC POLITICS, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: ROYG DECLARES END TO AL-HOUTHI REBELLION:  SAADA 
IS QUIET, FOR NOW 
 
REF: A. IIR 690601205 
     B. SANAA 906 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (U) Summary.  The ROYG claimed that it has ended the 
al-Houthi uprising in Saada, but isolated clashes continue. 
Initial casualty estimates show 280 killed from both sides in 
less than two weeks of clashes, but such figures may rise as 
more facts come to light.  The main rebel leaders escaped 
capture, and remain at large in northern Yemen.  Simmering 
hostilities caused by reportedly harsh ROYG tactics and 
tribal feuds may lead to continued violence on a lesser 
scale, and provide continued political fodder for both the 
ROYG and opposition parties.  End summary. 
 
2. (U) The ROYG issued an official statement on April 11 
declaring an end to the uprising in Saada, and security 
forces claimed to have taken control of rebel strongholds. 
Fighting continued in isolated areas even as the ROYG 
declared an end to hostilities.  Several sources reported 
clashes in Dammaj, about 50 miles south of Saada, where 
insurgents reportedly continued to offer resistance.  Since 
the announcement, rebels have also assassinated a security 
officer in the Saada market and an army engineer in the 
region of Razamat, near the Saudi border.  Nevertheless, 
residents of Saada confirm that violence has subsided and 
they are free to move about the city after two weeks of 
curfew. 
 
3. (S) The number of casualties is difficult to confirm, but 
conservative estimates from hospitals and official reports 
show at least 280 people dead in two weeks of fighting and 
many more wounded.  Tribal leaders and some opposition 
sources accuse the Ministry of Defense of using scorched 
earth tactics against civilians, calling them "Dharfur-like." 
 The opposition paper al-Wahdawi reported MOD use of 
helicopters to attack the Saada area of Habr, corresponding 
with other reliable reports of air strikes (ref A).  On April 
4, government troops reportedly destroyed at least six homes 
in al-Ramna, killing women and children. 
 
4. (S) Opinions on the totality of the ROYG's victory vary 
greatly.  Early reports that security forces killed or 
captured rebel leaders Badr Eddin al-Houthi, Abdullah Ayedh 
al-Razami, and Yussef al-Madani proved false.  The nature of 
the uprising demonstrated a rebel strategy of unconventional 
warfare that differed dramatically from last summer's 
al-Houthi rebellion.  Insurgents used a variety of mobile 
tactics including snipers, ambushes, and night maneuvers. 
Recent assassinations confirm a pattern that began with 
assassination attempts on Saada Police Chief Brigadier 
Mohammed Saleh Turaiq Deputy Governor, Hassan Manaa, as well 
as grenade attacks in Sanaa (ref B).  Lingering hostilities 
may also be exacerbated by tribal feuds.  Several sources 
report that the conflict, which began as an uprising of the 
"Believing Youth," devolved into various tribal vendettas. 
 
5. (U) On April 8, opposition parties issued a joint 
statement denouncing the second al-Houthi rebellion and 
attacks on ROYG security forces in Sanaa.  This somewhat 
belated support for the government fueled accusations from 
the ruling GPC party that opposition leaders encouraged the 
uprising.  Opposition leaders in turn have called for an 
official investigation into the causes of the Saada conflict. 
 
6. (SBU) Comment:  The evidence supports ROYG claims that the 
conflict in Saada is diminishing.  Nevertheless, tensions 
remain high and with the main rebel leaders still at large, 
additional sporadic attacks are likely.  Unconventional 
tactics used by the insurgents suggest an ongoing threat of 
assassinations and terrorist-style operations, perhaps 
spreading into Sanaa and other regions of the country.  Both 
government and opposition leaders appear to be exploiting the 
conflict for political gain.  End comment. 
Krajeski