Sana’a: Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi called on Wednesday for unity during a visit to the northern city of Amran, briefly seized by Shiite rebels in clashes with government forces and loyal tribes.
The capture on July 2 of Amran, just 50 kilometres north of Sana’a, by Al Houthi rebels threatened a federalisation plan that was agreed in February following national talks as part of a political transition.
The Al Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, pulled out few days later after reaching an agreement with the authorities, allowing government forces into the city.
“We have to turn a new page and realise that the age of conflicts and wars is over. Our homeland has suffered enough trouble over the past five decades,” Hadi said, addressing officials at the government complex in the city.
He called for “more cohesion and unity ... and to raise awareness of the danger of regional, sectarian and factious conflicts”, according to Saba state news agency.
The Al Houthi capture of the city was seen as part of a plan to push towards the capital and posed a challenge to the government which is also facing an Al Qaida threat and a separatist movement in the south.
Al Houthis, who have been battling the central government for years, are suspected of trying to expand their sphere of influence as Yemen is reorganised into six regions.
They have repeatedly complained of marginalisation under former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled for 33 years before being forced out in February 2012.
He was replaced by Hadi, his long-time deputy, under a UN- and Gulf-sponsored deal.
