Yemen military committee faces challenges in conflicted areas

By Shuaib M. al-Mosawa Yemen Observer Armed groups loyal to the defected general Ali Muhsin al-Ahmar and government forces began withdrawing from their positions in some of the capital areas, yet forces loyal to the powerful sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar refused dismantling their forces from al-Hasaba district, al-Ahmar’s main stronghold. Local sources told UAE-based Al-Etihad paper that members of the military committee disputed with al-Ahmar loyalists when they moved towards al-Hasaba to remove barricades established since al-Ahmar’s fight with the government forces that started in May. Al-Ahmar representatives refused to demilitarize their tribal forces in control of the area, unless forces loyal to President Saleh, who still in control of the airport road, remove their positions introduced in the early fighting, said the military committee. The military committee had reached agreement with al-Ahmars to lift their armed men on Tuesday but has not done that so far, the local source said. Government forces have removed their checkpoints and barricades from the hot battled areas of Hayel St. and 60th Road along with a partial withdrawal of defected personnel loyal to General Ali Muhsin al-Ahmar. Defected personnel still maintain some presence in Hayel St, locals from Hayel St told the Yemen Observer. Spokesperson of the military committee, Ali Saeed Obeid, told the Saba News Agency that the committee would not allow any security, military or tribal armed presence in educational institutions still overrun by armed men loyal to both rivals. Obeid said that the committee ordered armed group who are currently in children schools to be evacuated. According to Obeid, there are 14 schools downtown occupied by mlitants. The spokesperson also said that 16 other schools are controlled by armed men in a-Hasaba area, the site of sporadic battles between government forces and Al-Ahmars’ loyalists. Nine schools near the airport are also under armed group’s control. Another dozens of school are also witnessing the presence of the armed groups.