Houthi rebels launched on Friday a wide arrest and kidnapping campaign against dozens of tribal elders in three Yemeni governorates.

Tribal sources in Sanaa told Asharq Al-Awsat that members of the militias’ secret security force, known as “preventative security,” have recently arrested dozens of elders and civilians in Sanaa, Amran and Amanat al-Assima.

“Rebels arrested Sheikh Attif from the Bani Sarih tribe in Amran, in addition to eight elders from other tribes in Sanaa, Amanat al-Assima and Amran,” the sources said.

An elder, who wished to remain anonymous, told Asharq Al-Awsat that a number of Yemeni tribes reject the Houthi behavior in “exerting a barbaric policy of blackmail against tribal sheikhs.”

They said the campaign was launched after Houthis accused some of the elders of failing to mobilize fighters and to provide battlefronts with food and money.

In the past two years, Houthis have placed plans to involve tribal members from outside Saada in battlefronts with an aim to annihilate them and allow insurgents coming from Saada to impose their grip on institutions there.

In July, Houthis killed Sheikh Mujahed Kashira, a tribal leader who once fought alongside the militia group, after he was accused of defecting.

Since early 2019, there have been internal conflicts between the Houthis and tribes, compelling the rebels to get rid of some individuals and attract supporters.

According to observers, the rebels have killed dozens of tribal leaders since April.