"The balance of power may change": Unrest against the Houthis in Yemen is increasing
According to a report in the Saudi "Asharq Al-Awsat", sources in Yemen believe that public dissatisfaction may lead to widespread protest. According to them, the moves against vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are increasing concern among citizens.
Drums of war in Yemen: Residents in areas controlled by the Houthis see the pro-Saudi government's strikes against the terrorist organization's positions as an "indication of approaching a new phase, which may lead to the restoration of the state and the end of the Houthi coup." The Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" reported that the Houthis are facing pressure from within and from outside following their intervention in the regional conflict and their attacks against vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Against this backdrop, sources in Yemen believe that "the balance of power may change soon."
Taha, a resident of the Dhamar Governorate under Houthi control, claimed that "most residents are following every advance of the pro-Saudi government forces." He expressed the opinion that "many will participate in the struggle against the Houthis if they are given the opportunity. There is widespread public dissatisfaction that the group has created as a result of its economic and security policies."
Abd al-Rahman, a resident of the Ibb Governorate under Houthi control, shares a similar assessment:
"The strict security measures that the group has imposed recently and the expansion of the powers of field supervisors, which forces residents to participate in armed rallies and recruitment activities, reflect the level of concern within the group. The Houthis fear the possibility of internal actions that will come in parallel with the advance of the pro-Saudi government forces."
According to Abd al-Rahman, the southern Ibb Governorate has become in recent years one of the strongholds of popular protest against the Houthis. "The governorate may become one of the areas ready to participate in any move to restore state institutions," he said, adding that only the lack of supply lines prevented the protest from escalating into armed resistance.
According to testimonies from residents in Yemen, the Houthis have recently increased their military presence in villages and on agricultural lands. It was also reported that the organization has set up checkpoints with the aim of preventing any internal movement against it.
