Yemen Government Seeks Tribal Support in Fight Against Houthis

The internationally recognized Yemeni government is attempting to secure the support of powerful tribes in its new military offensive against the Houthis. This move has the potential to shift the balance of power in the country, but tribes remain cautious about committing without clear evidence of sustained military success.

For years, many tribes wary of the Houthis have avoided open confrontation due to the group's military strength and previous failed uprisings. They are now closely watching whether the government's limited advances in its "Dawn of Yemen" operation along the Red Sea coast, Marib, and al-Jawf can translate into lasting gains.

Highlights

• The Yemeni government is seeking the support of tribes in its new military offensive against the Houthis.
• Tribes are hesitant to take sides due to the Houthis' military strength and past failed uprisings.
• The government's "Dawn of Yemen" operation in the Red Sea coast, Marib, and al-Jawf could influence tribal decisions.
• A large tribal rally in Marib declared general mobilization to support the armed forces.
• Experts emphasize that tribal military engagement should occur through formalized command structures.

Details

This offensive by Saudi Arabia-backed government forces follows significant Houthi gains in September, when the group captured vital trade corridors, including the port city of Mocha and territory around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. While airstrikes have inflicted losses on Houthi forces, advancing into strongholds like Sanaa, Saada, and Amran, which the Houthis have held since 2014, remains a formidable challenge.

Experts suggest that the government's declaration of an all-out war and its pledge to recapture Sanaa could diminish tribal distrust, prompting them to shift allegiances at the opportune moment. A large tribal rally held in Marib Governorate on Monday saw sheikhs and fighters from tribes like Jadan and Nihm declare a general mobilization to support the armed forces in their battle to "restore the state and topple the Houthi coup."

Adel Dashela, a researcher at the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies, stated that if this tribal support translates into actual mobilization and sustained participation, it would help government troops advance into Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa. However, he also emphasized that tribal military engagement must occur through formalized state and coalition command structures, rather than as an independent vanguard.

Why it matters

Yemeni tribes feel their political and military roles have diminished over a decade of war. The Houthis have weakened traditional tribal power structures in areas under their control through military force, financial incentives, and identification with the Palestinian cause. Sustained government military successes could empower tribes to confidently confront the Houthis, significantly influencing the course of the war and paving the way for government advances into Houthi-held territories.