The Houthis' Government and Its Allies in Yemen Begins Operations

Houthi rebels and their allies in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, have announced the formation of a government and that its activities have commenced; a development that may complicate international efforts to achieve peace in this war-torn country. Reuters reports that diplomats had hoped the previous promises of the Houthis and their allies to form a government would at least be temporarily halted. International organizations and officials have been working to find a way out of the Yemeni crisis by forming a 'national unity government.' This crisis has escalated beyond a mere internal political conflict due to the Houthi uprising, the forced departure of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi from Sanaa and ultimately Yemen, Iran's support for the Houthis, and the intervention of Saudi Arabia and its allies in support of Hadi. The national unity government itself faced opposition from Saleh, who claims to still be the only legitimate president of Yemen. The Houthis currently control Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, and it is estimated that they and their allies, particularly supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, control areas with more than half of the total population of the country. Yemeni rebels had previously stated that the formation of a new government does not mean a violation of the UN's efforts to achieve peace. However, the reaction from Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi indicates that these efforts are likely facing a new obstacle. The state news agency of Yemen, which is under Houthi control, stated on the 29th of Azar that in a meeting of this group and its allies, 'it was emphasized that the formed government will work to resolve internal issues and confront the aggression [of Saudi Arabia].' Rajeh Badi, one of Hadi's spokespeople who is currently in Saudi Arabia, reacted to the news by stating that this action 'not only disregards the [wishes of] the people of Yemen but also international demands.' Mr. Badi also added that during the year and a half since the beginning of the uprising and crisis in Yemen, 'no one in the international community has recognized the mechanisms they have established.' The UN still recognizes Hadi as the legitimate president of Yemen. Mr. Hadi was sworn in as President of Yemen in March 2012 after protests against the 33-year rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen. He, who was the Vice President and the only candidate in the election, reportedly received 99.8 percent of the votes according to the Yemeni electoral office.