Yemen: Tribal Accord Freezes Al-Bayda Front, Shifts Houthi Focus to Lahj

A tribal agreement, brokered by Houthi military officials, has reportedly frozen military activities on the Al-Bayda front, allowing the Houthi movement to redirect its forces to other conflict zones, particularly in the Lahj governorate.

Sources indicate that tribal elders and sheikhs from the Al-Himyqan tribes in Al-Zahir district, Al-Bayda governorate, and the Al-Hadd tribes in Yafa' have reached an understanding. This accord, supervised by Houthi military leadership, mandates the neutralization of the Al-Zahir front and prohibits any mutual military movements or attacks between the two sides.

The agreement stipulates that each party will remain within its territories and refrain from allowing military forces to advance towards or attack the other's areas. This arrangement is intended to maintain a quiet front in Al-Zahir, thereby enabling the Houthi militia to concentrate its military efforts on other fronts, notably those in Al-Mudaribah, Ras Al-Ara, and Al-Maqaterah in Lahj governorate.

According to the sources, this understanding was reached approximately one month prior to recent Houthi military escalations. The advance of the Giants Brigades and their control over three villages—Hayd Al-Khazan, Al-Majareesh, and Mifraq Dhi Amkhashab—during recent clashes in the Al-Zahir front, was reportedly in contravention of the established understandings and without the knowledge of the signatories. This led to pressure from the parties to the agreement for the retreating forces to withdraw, followed by directives from the legitimate government's command for the forces to pull back from the captured positions.

Sources further suggest that the continuation of this agreement is contingent upon the parties' adherence to its terms. There are warnings that the Houthi militia might breach the accord if they achieve military gains on other fronts and feel secure, as part of their strategy to keep the Al-Zahir front free from engagements and to direct their military weight towards the fighting fronts in Lahj governorate.