Five Injured, Including Two Children, in Renewed Clashes in Dhmar

Five civilians, including two young girls, were injured in renewed armed clashes and indiscriminate gunfire in the Bani Bada' village of Al-Hada district in Dhmar governorate. Community warnings highlight the potential escalation of tribal conflict due to the inaction of Houthi-affiliated security forces in apprehending those involved.

Tribal sources in the district reported a rising security tension in Bani Bada' village stemming from the killing of Hatem Mohammed Al-Badai, a member of the Saleh Ahmed Saleh family. The dispute originates from a long-standing conflict between the Saleh Ahmed Saleh and Mohammed Ali Muthanna families over a piece of land, which has persisted for approximately 35 years and intensified over the past year.

The recent escalation occurred when the Mohammed Ali Muthanna family began construction work, bringing building materials to the disputed land. This action was opposed by the Saleh Ahmed Saleh family, who argued that the land dispute had not yet been resolved. The disagreement subsequently devolved into direct armed confrontations.

The renewed gunfire has resulted in injuries to two young girls, aged between 4 and 8, as well as three other individuals. Among the injured are Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Badai, who sustained a thigh wound in early June; Talal Hussein Al-Badai, who was injured in the jaw approximately two weeks ago; and Abdullah Hussein Al-Badai, who was directly shot on Wednesday.

Residents expressed significant fear and panic among the village population, particularly women and children, due to the random nature of the shooting and the intensity of the exchange of fire, which has impacted civilian homes. Local inhabitants criticized the security apparatus of Dhmar governorate and Al-Hada district for failing to fulfill their duties. They emphasized that security forces have not implemented court orders to apprehend fugitive suspects, some of whom are Houthi elements within the governorate's general and central security services, which has emboldened them to continue their escalation.

The residents of Bani Bada' village have appealed to the elders and dignitaries of the Al-Hada tribe for urgent intervention to contain the conflict, implement tribal and legal norms to cease bloodshed, and exert pressure to apprehend the perpetrators and hold the negligent security officials accountable before the situation deteriorates further.