Clashes Erupt in Al Jawf Between Houthi Forces and Bani Hutban Tribes

Armed confrontations have erupted in the Al-Zahir district of Al Jawf Governorate, northeast Yemen, following an operation by Houthi militia security forces targeting the Bani Hutban tribes, who are affiliated with the Daham tribes. The incident occurs amidst prevailing security chaos in areas controlled by the militia.

Tribal sources reported that the security campaign, led by the Houthi supervisor in the region identified as "Abu Najib," commenced on the previous day with the objective of pressuring the Bani Hutban tribe. This action was reportedly motivated by a bias in favor of the Al-Ashraf tribes, stemming from a prior blood feud between the two parties after a member of Bani Hutban was killed by gunmen from Al-Ashraf of Al-Zahir.

According to the same sources, the armed confrontations lasted for approximately thirty minutes.

Tribal elders have accused the Houthi supervisor of utilizing security forces as a tool to exert pressure on the blood relatives of the deceased from Bani Hutban, compelling them to relinquish their claim in the case of their son's unlawful killing. They cautioned that such a biased intervention could escalate the situation and fuel tribal conflicts within the governorate.