The Peaceful Revolution Youth Council has deliberated on armed conflict in Amran governorate and other governorates involving the Houthi group, military units, and armed factions, resulting in explicit violations such as killings, forced displacement, and comprehensive civilian displacement,
along with property looting; moreover, the invasion of Amran city, assault on the 310th Armored Brigade, looting of its weapons and equipment, and the killing of its members and leaders by Houthi militias contradict the explicit outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, which mandate disarmament, non-use of force, and relinquishment of control over all areas. These actions also directly conflict with the pronounced resolutions of the UN Security Council, specifically Resolutions 2014 (paragraphs 3, 2, 8), Resolution 2051 (paragraph 2), and Resolution 2140, which urgently call upon all parties in Yemen to immediately refrain from using violence for political objectives.
The aforementioned resolutions consider any use of violence for political goals and any aggression against state assets and institutions as obstructive to the transitional process, necessitating the application of deterrent sanctions in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Just as the Houthi militias' invasion of the city of Amran, their forceful seizure of the 310th Armored Brigade, looting of its equipment and weapons, and the killing of its leaders and members ignored the warnings and appeals from various stakeholders involved in the Yemeni situation, including the ten sponsoring countries of the transitional process, the Presidential Committee overseeing de-escalation in Amran governorate and surrounding areas, the committee responsible for the ceasefire agreement in Amran, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen, as well as the Security Council statement that emphasized the imperative for all non-state parties to simultaneously disarm and strictly adhere to the signed ceasefire agreements, it is crucial to emphasize that any violation or attempts to target the city of Amran or intimidate its residents are considered a red line that cannot be overlooked.
The Council firmly believes that the Houthi militia's incursion not only hampers and obstructs the transitional process but also fundamentally undermines and dismantles the very foundations of peace, coexistence, and national partnership in Yemen.
The Council recognizes that the recent events are a continuation of armed conflicts and confrontations between the Houthi group, armed factions, and military units that have been observed in Amran and other governorates during the transitional phase. These events are a direct outcome of a significant strategic mistake, where the transitional authority and all parties involved in the dialogue process failed to fulfill the most urgent and critical outcome of the dialogue, which is the timely and complete disarmament of all militias, parties, and individuals. This disarmament process aims to empower the state with exclusive possession of heavy and medium weapons, allowing it to assert its influence and establish control in areas currently under militia control.
The planned timeline was set for the implementation to begin within a month following the conclusion of the dialogue conference. Furthermore, its objective was to fully execute the restructuring of the army and security apparatus, effectively addressing all prevailing imbalances and shortcomings. This comprehensive restructuring aimed to strengthen their preparedness, effectiveness, dedication, and unified leadership, guided by a national combat doctrine that goes beyond narrow regional, sectarian, and partisan divisions.
No clear milestone was established; instead, there was a grim history characterized by widespread looting, the complete takeover of both public and private assets, ongoing conflicts, and numerous violations. Many individuals were implicated, victimized, and impacted by these events. However, a new era emerged, marked by adherence to the rule of law and a collective commitment to abstain from committing crimes or engaging in organized aggression against public and private properties. Those who persist in perpetrating crimes and instigating conflicts, both presently and in the future, will not evade punishment, as the law will inevitably catch up with them.
The anticipated turning point was meant to begin at the start of the transitional period on February 21, 2012, but unfortunately, it was postponed. Consequently, conflicts, violations, looting, and the seizure of public and private assets persisted. Many individuals suffered as victims of these events.
The turning point was shifted to a post-National Dialogue Conference period, where everyone would sign and commit to its outcomes after months of dialogue and discussion. However, months have passed since the conclusion of the Dialogue Conference, and the anticipated turning point between the dark past and the clean present has yet to commence. This means that the list of victims, the oppressed, the violated, and the organized looting of state assets and resources continues.
As per the materials from the Dialogue Conference and transitional process documents, it was anticipated that the Transitional Justice Law would be promulgated either on the subsequent day or during the conference. The Transitional Justice Report regarded the enactment of the Transitional Justice Law as the starting point of the turning phase. This law would establish guidelines and protocols for addressing and remedying crimes that took place before its implementation. It would assign responsibility to institutions of accountability, courts, prosecution, and investigation to ensure immediate accountability and prosecution for any crimes committed subsequent to its enactment.
With the conclusion of the Dialogue Conference, a new phase has begun, guaranteeing the accountability of rights violators and preventing their escape from punishment, while citizens no longer seek justice from external sources, as they place their trust in the state's capacity to safeguard their rights and provide protection.
In light of these factors and in accordance with its revolutionary and national responsibilities, the Peaceful Revolution Youth Council presents a comprehensive peacebuilding roadmap for the highly volatile northern provinces, currently plagued by the dominance and internal conflicts of armed militias. This roadmap is grounded in the results of dialogue and the executive framework of the transitional process, offering a swift and imperative resolution to prevent the reoccurrence of incidents in Amran and safeguard the integrity of the entire transitional process. Moreover, it aims to advance peacebuilding efforts in Saada and other adjacent provinces, ensuring stability and harmony in the region.
Firstly, urgent measures to deal with the Houthi storming of the city of Amran and the seizure of equipment of the 310th Brigade:
Mechanisms and Tasks: The Security Committee and the Presidential Committee, with direct oversight and monitoring by the President, will undertake the following urgent tasks:
• Evacuating government buildings from the presence of armed groups and strictly prohibiting any armed presence within these premises.
• Disbanding and withdrawing all checkpoints and military formations controlled by militant groups, while establishing a dedicated security force within each governorate directorate.
• Deploying, redeploying, and strategically positioning military forces across locations where the Houthi militia and other armed groups are currently stationed within the city and governorate directorates.
• Facilitating the return of personnel and equipment belonging to the 310th Brigade, recovering any seized weapons, appointing a new command structure, and addressing their status in a reorganized manner.
• Establishing observation posts and implementing effective measures at the entrances of Amran governorate and its directorates to monitor and prevent the entry or exit of weapons, promptly confiscating any unauthorized arms.
• The Ministry of Health, utilizing its offices in the city and district centers of the governorate, will ensure the provision of medical treatment and care for the wounded and disabled individuals.
Secondly, it is imperative to undertake the necessary measures to expand the authority of the state, implement weapons withdrawal initiatives, and foster peacebuilding efforts in the governorates of Saada, Amran, Hajjah, Al-Jawf, and Sana'a. The Executive Mechanism: The implementation of the peacebuilding outcomes from the dialogue conference in the northern provinces will be carried out by an executive body under the direct supervision of the President. This body will consist of relevant ministers, the Security Committee, and the Presidential Committee, including the Ministers of Defense, Interior, Civil Service, Legal Affairs, Justice, the Attorney General, the Ministry of Human Rights, the Minister of Finance, the President of the Saada Reconstruction Fund, and the Fund for the Care of Martyrs and Wounded. They will convene under the leadership of the President, with the Prime Minister as their deputy. The executive body will be responsible for the following actions:
• Developing a draft legislation on arms withdrawal and regulation of possession, which will be presented to the ministry council for approval within a maximum of one month. In the event of a lack of consensus, the President will issue a decree compelling all militias, groups, and individuals possessing heavy or medium weapons to surrender them to the state within a period not exceeding six months. Failure to comply, hide, or conceal such weapons will result in severe penalties. Citizens and entities are encouraged to report any possession of these weapons.
• Implementing specific penalties against those who hide or fail to surrender their weapons, considering them as criminals subject to trial and imprisonment for a minimum of ten years. The confiscation of weapons will be enforced, and any non-legitimate and non-compliant entities will be dissolved with their activities prohibited.
• Providing financial compensation for any weapon that does not belong to the military and has not been taken or seized from the armed forces' warehouses.
• Establishing provisions that criminalize receiving funds from external sources under any pretext, considering it as a grave act of treason. Any individual or personal relationship outside the state will be deemed a crime endangering national security. The state will be responsible for regulating foreign relations related to security and sovereignty in accordance with the law.
• Establishing a mechanism to inventory and withdraw heavy and medium weapons within one month of the authority's formation, ensuring their complete withdrawal within a maximum of six months from individuals, groups, and the armed Houthi militia.
• Evacuation of state buildings and properties, as well as private properties, regardless of the party involved.
• Overseeing the withdrawal of checkpoints operated by the Houthi militia, militias, and armed groups, and taking action against any activities that contradict the responsibilities of the state. The government should develop a plan to prioritize the integration of their members into various state institutions and agencies.
• Initiating the removal and retrieval of heavy and medium weapons that have been looted or seized from all parties, groups, factions, and individuals. These weapons are the property of the state at the national level, and their removal should be carried out within a specific and coordinated timeframe. Trading heavy and medium weapons is strictly prohibited, and the ownership of such weapons is exclusively reserved for the state, with regulations governing the possession of personal weapons.
• Developing an impartial and transparent implementation matrix for the agreed-upon decisions, aimed at resolving conflicts and building peace in Saada and other neighboring governorates. This matrix should ensure the implementation of solutions that benefit all affected parties and stakeholders, without discrimination.
• Establishing an adequate presence of law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, including Public Prosecution Offices and courts, across all districts of Amran. This presence should be sufficient to address all complaints and grievances in a timely manner.
• The Ministry of Human Rights, with its offices in the capital cities of the governorates and directorate centers, will receive complaints, monitor them, and refer them to the relevant authorities for necessary action. They will also provide regular reports to the public regarding the actions taken.
• The Ministry of Planning, the Social Fund for Development, and the Saada Reconstruction Fund will develop an urgent plan, a specific timeline, and a clear implementation mechanism for the reconstruction of Saada, Harf Sufyan, and the areas affected by the Saada wars and neighboring governorates. This reconstruction effort will encompass both private and public properties destroyed by the war, regardless of the party involved. The affected individuals will be compensated for their losses, and the Saada Reconstruction Fund will be activated, with sufficient funds allocated from the state treasury to facilitate the implementation of this plan.
• Police departments, central security, emergency services, and military police will be deployed in provincial capitals and district centers to ensure the safety of the population and prevent armed militias from exerting any influence.
• The Ministry of Justice and the Public Prosecution will concurrently ensure the presence of law enforcement and prosecution agencies, including Public Prosecution Offices and courts, in all districts of Amran. This presence will be sufficient to address all complaints and grievances.
• The Ministry of Human Rights, through its offices in the city and directorates, will receive complaints, monitor them, and refer them to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. They will also provide periodic reports to the public regarding the actions taken.
• Establishing a fund dedicated to supporting the families of martyrs, wounded individuals, and disabled individuals affected by the wars in Saada, Amran, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, and Sana'a. This fund will ensure that all individuals are treated according to unified standards and receive comprehensive care. Salaries will be provided to the families of martyrs, wounded individuals, and war-disabled individuals.
• The Ministry of Endowments will return mosques to their original owners as specified in the endowment wills or by their rightful successors. An independent body will be responsible for managing the endowments and overseeing the mosques.
• The Tax Authority will ensure that the state has the sole authority to collect taxes, zakat (Islamic alms), and any legally imposed fees. Any entities collecting taxes outside the law or imposing illegal levies and taxes on individuals will be reported.
• Ensuring national partnership within the government following the adoption of the constitution. A new government will be formed, with participation from all parties involved in the dialogue conference, based on proportional representation. Subsequently, elections will be held in accordance with the constitution to form the government.
• Enacting a transitional justice law and establishing the Justice and Interests Commission. This commission will promptly form sub-committees to address property damage suffered by citizens in Saada, Amran, Hajjah, and Al-Jawf. The commission will undertake the following actions:
• Facilitating the return of displaced individuals to their home countries and residences without restrictions or conditions.
• Providing compensation for property that was taken or looted.
• Removing any barriers preventing the return of displaced individuals and ensuring the delivery of their entitlements.
• The reinstatement of individuals who were expelled or dismissed from their jobs, with their rights to promotion and bonuses reinstated in accordance with the law.
• Facilitating a general reconciliation process among the people of the affected governorates and directorates, aiming to create an environment of peace and forgiveness. This reconciliation will ensure the safety of those who have been living in fear and work towards resolving any grievances held against specific parties. The state will provide compensation to those who have suffered grievances, putting an end to acts of revenge and retaliation. The parties involved will commit to addressing transitional justice principles, including providing redress, compensation, and honoring the victims, while undertaking other necessary measures identified by transitional justice processes.
Victory to the revolution
Eternal remembrance for the martyrs
Healing for the wounded
Peace for Yemen
Issued by:
Peaceful Revolution Youth Council
July 12, 2014