DEARBORN — Local Yemeni Americans urged unity and dialogue in their homeland, as sectarian and political tensions boil in the country after Houthi Rebels took over the capital last week. 

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi warned of civil war in the aftermath of the Houthi militants’ move into Sanaa.

Houthis, who are Shi’a, started protesting peacefully after a hike in gas prices last month. The movement signed an agreement with the government that would ensure that the prices are lowered, but militants among them have now taken over Sanaa, demanding that the government resigns.

The power struggle between Houthis, the government and Sunni factions has been described as an indirect confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“What some now fear is that the overarching rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh could make Yemen the arena for a new proxy struggle in their region-wide tussle for power,” read a news story by Reuters on Sept. 26.

Besides Houthis, the Yemeni government faces an insurgency by al-Qaeda-linked extremists and separatist movements that demand greater autonomy for the once-independent southern part of the country. 

Yemeni American writer Mohammed Al Turki said the solution for Yemen’s woes is standing behind the state, which would preserve the rights of all citizens. 

In 2011, Yemen witnessed pro-democracy protests inspired by the “Arab Spring.” Dubbed “The Youths’ Revolution”, the uprising led to toppling of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years. Saleh was replaced in 2012 by his deputy, Hadi, in a regional deal that would ensure an inclusive transitional government. 

However, with the turmoil engulfing the country, the protesters’ hope for democracy and reform seem like a distant dream.

“We have no alternative option to dialogue,” he said. “All the factions must give up their heavy arms. We cannot uphold the authority of the state when militias have tanks roaming the capital.”

Turki said Houthi rebels were met with minimal resistance and international condemnation when they took over Sanaa. He added that the Houthi militants’ move into the capital was accepted by regional powers and elements in the army that want to weaken Al-Islah Party, which he said is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Turki added that segments of Saleh’s regime were complacent in allowing Houthis to take over the capital so easily, adding that the Yemeni army is divided and some of its brigades are still loyal to Saleh.

Houthis are accused of being an arm of Iran in Yemen, but Turki refused to question the allegiance of the rebel movement to the country. “Houthis are Yemenis,” he said. “But at the end of the day they must turn down their weapons and adhere to the authority of the state.”

As for the high hopes following the Youths’ Revolution of 2011, Turki said the ambitions of the uprising appear unattainable now. 

“The Youths’ Revolution is finished,” he said sounding upset. “They were asking for a civil, democratic state. Now militias control everything. It is similar to what happened in Libya.”

Walid Fedama, a member of the National Association of Yemeni-Americans (YANA), echoed Turki’s comments about the failure of the uprising, adding that protesters were deceived by politicians who falsely promised to meet their demands.

“The revolution was killed in its youth,” he said. “People did come out courageously during the revolution, but they gave up their cause to politicians. Corrupt politicians only do what’s in their interest. The protesters were victims. They wanted to improve the state and achieve a modern democracy, but the old mentality remained. Things changed from bad to worse that some people miss the days of Saleh. Most revolutionaries are not impressed with the current situation.”

Fedama played down the Houthis’ advance into the capital.

“I don’t understand why people are blowing this out of proportion, as if the Houthis came from the sky,” he said. “They are Yemeni and they have the right to call for change in a way that they think is best for the interests of the people and their interests.”

However, Fedama acknowledged that it was bewildering how easily the rebels took over the capital. “Nobody knows what is being prepared behind closed doors,” he added. “Even the president’s speech was confusing.”

Fedama said it wouldn’t be realistic to deny that different political forces have regional backers in Yemen, but Yemenis are responsible for making sure their country does not become a ground for a proxy war.

“The media are saying it is a Saudi-Iranian confrontation, but those who are doing the fighting are Yemeni,” he said. “If all the parties do not get back to the dialogue table, history will not forgive them.”

Fedama urged unity.

“We must stand together and put national identity above narrow individual and political interests,” He said. “We should work together for what we agree on and try to resolve our differences peacefully for what we disagree on. This is true for any Arab country.”

Fedama does not think an all-out civil war in Yemen is feasible. He said most Yemenis own individual weapons and some tribes and factions are heavily armed; but Yemenis are smart and aware enough not to go down that path.

However, he added that if a civil war were to break out, it would be destructive and would not spare anybody, including Yemen’s neighbors.

“If we get to civil war, the entire region will be affected,” he said. “Everybody should work to unite Yemenis before we reach an untreatable point.”

Mohamed Saeed Abdullah, a member of the Yemen American Benevolent Association (YABA), also warned of the dangers of civil war. 

“We cannot slip into the abyss of civil war, which would burn everything and destroy our country,” he said. “The only solution is for all sides to renounce violence, rebuild the trust between them and peacefully demand their political rights.”

Abdullah said he is optimistic about the future of Yemen and that he counts on the intelligence of Yemenis not to be a part of a regional conflict that does not benefit them. 

“All parties say they have national agendas and do not have foreign patrons, but we demand actions, not talk, from these parties to show their nationalism,” he said. 

He added that Houthis were effective partners in the Youths’ Revolution and had legitimate demands when they started protesting last month; but said he does not know why their militants are still in the capital even after they signed an agreement with the government.

“Reverting to weapons puts question marks on Houthis’ intentions,” Abdullah said. “Using violence to get what they want sets a dangerous precedent and tarnishes the image of the state.”

He said Yemenis managed to put their weapons aside throughout a “difficult phase” since the uprising started in 2011. 

“We need an inclusive, modern state that protects everybody. Violence does not help this demand,” he added.