Militiamen affiliated with the Houthi group abducted tribal elder Sheikh Hamad bin Rashid Fadgham Al Hazmi on Saturday after raiding his home in the Al Yatamah area of Al Jawf Governorate, taking him to an unknown location. Local sources revealed that the military operation was led by Houthi commander Abu Najib Qa'sham, who impersonates the province's security director. Military vehicles reportedly surrounded the area before storming Sheikh Al Hazmi's residence, terrorizing his family. The abduction is reportedly linked to a courageous humanitarian and tribal stance taken by Sheikh Al Hazmi. He had intervened to assist a woman from Raymah Governorate who sought his help in seeking justice for the murder of her daughter. Sheikh Al Hazmi was attempting to resolve the case according to tribal customs and traditions, aiming for a fair settlement. The militia perceived this as an overreach into their authority. The incident has sparked widespread anger among the tribes of Daham and Al Jawf, who condemned the act as a flagrant violation of sanctity and a direct targeting of respected social figures. Sheikh Al Hazmi is known for his firm opposition to the militia's policies of extortion and corruption in Al Jawf, and had previously warned of the consequences of marginalizing tribal roles and fragmenting the social fabric. Following the abduction, tribal leaders from Daham and Al Jawf convened in Al Yatamah to formulate a decisive response. They hold the militia fully responsible for Sheikh Al Hazmi's safety and demand his immediate and unconditional release. This event is part of a pattern of systematic abuses by the militia against tribal dignitaries in the governorate, aimed at enforcing absolute control over the local population and silencing any voices advocating for justice or supporting the oppressed. |
