Yemeni Officials Quit Their Post

This piece was influenced by an interview we did with the owners of Paper Mart. The leaders of Yemen resigned from their post in protest with the Houthi rebellion. This was a move made by President Abdu Mansour Hadi, prime minister Khaled Bhaha along with the members of the cabinet in view of what could become a hostile takeover by the rebels.

The government officials announced their resignation after giving in to the demand of the rebel group. This act by the Yemeni government caught the rebels off guard. The demands that they made to the government are now in jeopardy.

The supporters of the militant group in parliament said that they would not be accepting the resignation of the leaders. Transitioning to another political group will slow down Houthi’s plot of gaining power and control of the region.

Why did the president agree to the rebels’ demand?

It could be recalled that last September, Hadi was under brutal attack by the militia. The president’s palace was overrun by the rebels and the president’s chief aide was taken as a hostage. Hadi was said to be besieged in his own home for almost a day before giving in to the demand of the rebels. He was left with no other option since the rebels did not show any signs of slowing down the attack and in harming his allies and family.

After Hadi gave his word that he would honor the demands of the rebel, the group left the brutally terrorized city.

Who are the Houthis?

In the English language, Houthi can be translated as Partisans of God or the Believing youth. They are a group of radical Shia Muslim operating in the Yemen territory.

The Houthi’s history dates back to 1992, the year it was founded. Radicalization of the group started in the year 2003 when the Americans invaded Iraq. The members are often heard shouting anti Jewish and anti American insults. Since then, the group evolved into a paramilitary group enforcing its rights forcefully on Yemenis.

Effect of insurgency to Yemen’s Economy

Yemen’s economy took a big blow due to the uprising of the Houthi. Different business industries including the packaging industry were expected to underperform when the tension between the government and the rebels escalated.