Islamist media is reporting that according to the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen, the Houthi rebels have arrested several of its leaders. The Middle East Monitor report follows:
August 10, 2015 The branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen condemned on Sunday what it described as the ‘continuing barbaric and aggressive criminal actions’ against its leaders and members by Shia Houthi rebels. ‘The Houthis’ actions have exceeded all norms and values inherent in the Yemeni people,’ said the Islah Party, ‘including the arrest of women.’
According to the statement, the Houthis have arrested Dr Abdul Razzaq Al-Ashwal, Dr Muhammad Edeil, Dr Abdullah Al-Samawi, Dr Mohammed Bakri, Ali Hadmah and Hamid Alqaada. Prominent women who have been detained include Ummat Essalam Haj, Samira Al-Sho’ur, Thekra Sneidar, Fatimah Harbah and Yousra Mqarmi.
The party called on Houthi militants and the security agencies working with them to release the kidnapped individuals immediately. Islah also urged human rights groups as well as local, regional and international organisations and civil society to stand united against ‘Houthi tyranny’ and to act quickly to release the detainees.
Houthi gunmen apparently arrested three female leaders of the Islah Party, and held them in a police station in the capital, Sanaa, only hours after they arrested Minister of Technical Education Al-Ashwal.
In March, the GMBDW reported that the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen had issued a statement of condolences regarding Saudi airstrikes on Houthi forces carried out by a Saudi-led coalition of Middle Eastern countries. Earlier in March, we reported that the Houthis had accused the Muslim Brotherhood of cooperating with Al Qaeda.
Other GMBDW coverage of the conflict in Yemen has included:
- In September 2014, we reported on the takeover of the Yemeni capital Sana by Houthi militants.
- In November 2014, we discussed an article that looked at the losses suffered by the Muslim Brotherhood as a result of the Houthi offensive
- In December 2014, we reported that the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen had signed an agreement with Shiite Houthi militants to end the conflict between them.
The Yemeni Congregation for Reform is also known as the Al-Islah Party in Yemen, identified by an Israeli research center as the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen.
For our profile on Al-Islah, go here.
For a report on the Houthis, go here.