Answering Key Questions about Yemen War – Part Two

You can read first part here: Answering Key Questions about Yemen War – Part One

4. How do Lebanese Hezbollah and Iran support AnsarAllah? Are they present in Yemen?

Presence of Iranian or Hezbollah counselors has been declined by all parties (AnsarAllah, Hezbollah and Iran) but Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a recent speech claimed that if we have a martyr from our forces in Yemen, won’t conceal it.
The foreign support of AnsarAllah which usually is referred to Iran and Hezbollah, is only political than military.

Indeed some political mediators are between AnsarAllah and supporters but unlike Syria and Iraq that Quds Force present in battlefield, it seems very unlikely in the case of Yemen.

AnsarAllah military capabilities due to 14 years of fighting against Ali Abdullah Saleh government and Saudi Arabia have increased substantially and specially on the ground they are not weaker than other western Asian countries even their supporters, if not stronger.
To have a better feeling, please refer to our movie archive of AnsarAllah battles in al Hudaydah, Jizan and Bayda. (spectacular fight between two AnsarAllah then martyred troops Abu Sayf Al Razahi and Issa Ali Al Akdah in Nate’ Baydah and other fronts is recommended.)

5. What is Dammaj story? What is the story of AnsarAllah fighting Wahhabism?

Dammaj is a Wahhabi village in southeast of Sa’adah which has a population of 15 thousand. In the last century, Muqbil ibn Hadi Al Wade’i had an organized plan to advertise Wahhabism in Yemen which started from Dammaj.

Muqbil ibn Hadi Al Wade’i, is a Wahhabi scholar who has many books and articles against Islamic revolution in Iran and was head of Dammaj Dar al Hadith(place for teaching,etc). In an article, he considers Imam Khomeini a pagan.

Muqbil ibn Hadi Al Wade’i died in May 2001 and Yahya Ali al Hajuri succeeded him.
Al Wade’i activities coincided AnsarAllah gaining strength and the belief war of Shia-Wahhabism and also Wahhabis activities against Shias by supporting Ali Abdullah Saleh government, helped sparking the war against AnsarAllah.

AnsarAllah engaged against Dammaj Wahhabis in two steps:

1. From 15 to 22 October 2011:

AnsarAllah surrounded Dammaj due to advertising against Shia and dividing between religions.
Yahya Ali Al Hajuri(successor of Al Wade’i) with help of Tariq Saleh equiped his troops and engaged against AnsarAllah.

With interfrence of Saleh army and Saudi Arabia, AnsarAllah leader after a short engagement ended siege and demanded the Wahhabism activities and their evacuation from Dammaj.

2. October 30, 2013 to February 2014:

AnsarAllah surrounded Dammaj to prevent import of weapons and foreigners (Saudi) and Wahhabi scholars including Al Hajuri issued Jihad rule (fight) against AnsarAllah.

AnsarAllah determined to clearing Dammaj under commandment of Abdullah Yahya al Hakem, a brave commander of AnsarAllah who is now their intelligence commander, attacked Dammaj.

Heavy engagement ended by 250 killed and 500 wounded for Wahhabis and 130 killed for AnsarAllah with unknown number of wounded.

Therefore Wahhabis who could not resist against AnsarAllah, after heavy casualties evacuated Dammaj, in which 12,000 people moved out.

Dammaj issue was not a reason to start Yemen war as the confrontation between AnsarAllah, Wahhabism and Government was older; six war between AnsarAllah and Ali Abdullah Saleh Government and Saudi is a testimony.

6. Among AnsarAllah officials, who are famous and powerful?

AnsarAllah started in 1986 as “the Believing Youth” by Shiite scholar Salah Ahmad Falitah and some other youth including Muhammad Badr Al Din Houthi(brother of Sayyid Hussain) and later in 1990, Muhammad Yahay Asan and then Martyr Sayyid Hussain Badr Al Din Houthi were claimed as General Secretary.

Upon flourishing the movement with name of Sayyid Hussain Badr Al Din Houthi, it was named Houthis and after his martyrdom and under leadership of Sayyid Abdul Malik Badr Al Din Houthi and stronger Shiite organization activities, it became AnsarAllah.

Sayyid Abdul Malik Badr Al Din Houthi is the current leader and Sayyid Muhammad Ali Al Houthi(head of Presidency Council), Martyr Saleh Ali Al Sammad(late head of Political High Council), Mahdi Al Mashat(current head of Political High Council), Sayyid Yahya Badr Al Din Houthi(Minister of Education), Abdullah Yahya Hakem(head of Intelligence and a battle commander), Muhammad AbdulSalam(AnsarAllah spokesman) and Muhammad Al Bukhayti(a battle commander and a member of political office) are his fellows in AnsarAllah who will be introduced in more details in future articles.