July 22, 2008
The Sa'ada War is Over
Yemeni President Saleh called rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, and they ended the war that raged in northern Yemen since 2004.
The army is withdrawing from areas they haven't vacated since 2004. The general consensus is that the ICC charges against the President of Sudan for genocide gave the Yemeni president the necessary motivation. Salafi Brigadier General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar (half brother of the president) who led the war in Sa'ada is thought to be under loose house arrest.
Hopefully aid groups can get to the internal refugees now, and the regime empties the prisons of the arbitrarily arrested and frees al-Khaiwani.
Even though the prior three mediated settlements broke down, I think there's a real prospect for a lasting peace here. Its great news for the 700,000 residents of the area.
