The Rashad Union, Yemen’s only Salafi political faction has now accused the Houthis, Shia group politically represented by Ansar Allah, of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Both politico-religious factions were untila earlier this month enthralled in a bitter battle for control in Dammaj, a village located in the northern province of Sa’ada, near the Saudi border.
Back in late October 2013, the Houthis, led by Abdel Malek al-Houthi launched a series of violent attack against Salafi militants in Dammaj, arguing that the group was plotting for all Shia Yemeni Muslims’ demise as to better assert their own dogma onto Yemen highlands. The Houthis alleged the Salafis had been using their Dammaj religious centre of Dar al-Hadith as a training camp for wannabe Jihadists ahead of a regional take over. It is important to note that the Salafis have always rejected such claims.
As the truce imposed by President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi has held so far, frustrated Salafi militants have moved their fight against the Houthis to the media, seeking to exert their revenge and rally the public to their cause.
As per the terms of President Hadi truce agreement, all Salafis were ordered to leave Dammaj, a clause the Rashad Union has denounced as unjust, uncalled for and borderline sectarian.
Determined not to allow the Houthis to revel in their success, the Salafis have called on the authorities to hold Abdel-Malek al-Houthi accountable for the crimes committed by his men.
In a statement, the Rashad Union party urged the government to "Bring Houthi leaders and militiamen to justice over the crimes against humanity they committed against Dammaj people." In the statement, the Rashad Union denounced the force displacement of its followers and students in religion.