Agreement Between the Houthis and the Arhab Tribes

  • Country/entity
    Yemen
  • Region
    Middle East and North Africa
  • Agreement name
    Agreement Between the Houthis and the Arhab Tribes
  • Date
    9 Feb 2014
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Yemeni Civil Wars (1994) (2011 - ) )
  • Stage
    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    Yemen Inter-group Agreements
  • Parties
    The Representatives of the Two Sides:
    Sheikh Faris Mujahid Al Jabari
    Sheikh Mansour Ali Al Hanq
  • Third parties
    The Committee Tasked with Resolving the Conflict and Its Effects in Arhab:
    Gen. Ali bin Ali Al Jaifi, Committee Head and Commander of Reserve Forces
    Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Badr Al Din
    Sheikh Rabees Ali Wahban
    Sheikh Abdulkareem Ahmad Al Maqdashi
    Sheikh Mardhi bin Ka’lan
    Sheikh Naif Al Awaj
    Sheikh Hunain Muhammad Qatinah
    Sheikh Ahmad bin Ahmad Mijawhan
    Sheikh Naji Murait
    Gen. Abdulqadir bin Ali Hilal
    Sheikh Omar Al Arhabi

    Guarantors:
    1. Sheikh Nabeeh Muhsin Abu Nashtan / Sheikh Muhammad Jaber Al Jamrah
    2. Sheikh Muhammad Sawa / Sheikh Muhammad Nawfal
    3. Sheikh Fadhel Al Qaseer / Sheikh Hayel Saeed Muhsin Marih
    4. Sheikh Muhsin Abu Hadi / Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Sinan
    5. Hisham Radman / Sheikh Ali Alwan Al Marrani
    6. Abdoh Mahmoud Al Subahi / Sheikh Dakam Muhammad Sawa
    7. Muhammad Ali Al Mahras / Sheikh Mabkhout Bakir
    8. Sheikh Ali Nawfal / Sheikh Ali Muhammad Radman
  • Description
    Ceasefire agreement between the Houthis and the Arhab tribes providing for ceasefire modalities, in addition to other points addressing: (1) return of fighters from outside the district; (2) reparation of martyrs by the state (as to end blood feuds); (3) freedom of thought, ideology; (4) the law and the constitution provide for the means of resolving disputes; (5) exchange of dead and prisoners.


Groups

  • Children/youth

    No specific mention.

  • Disabled persons

    No specific mention.

  • Elderly/age

    No specific mention.

  • Migrant workers

    No specific mention.

  • Racial/ethnic/national group

    No specific mention.

  • Religious groups

    No specific mention.

  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons

    No specific mention.

  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender

    No specific mention.

  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family
    Page 1, Sixth: The Committee has decided that all of the martyrs who were killed during the fighting and are from the area of Arhab shall be the responsibility of the state. The state shall compensate their families because this round of fighting started because of developments in a public issue that came from outside the area, and there will not be any claims by any side against any other.

State definition

  • Nature of state (general)

    No specific mention.

  • State configuration

    No specific mention.

  • Self determination

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum

    No specific mention.

  • State symbols

    No specific mention.

  • Independence/secession

    No specific mention.

  • Accession/unification

    No specific mention.

  • Border delimitation

    No specific mention.

  • Cross-border provision

    No specific mention.


Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)

    No specific mention.

  • Elections

    No specific mention.

  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution

    No specific mention.


Power sharing

  • Political power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Territorial power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Economic power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Military power sharing

    No specific mention.


Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general

    No specific mention.

  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation

    No specific mention.

  • Civil and political rights
    Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Thought, opinion, conscience and religion
    Page 1-2, Seventh: Both sides agree to turning a new page of brotherhood, forgiveness, and acceptance of others, as well as reiterating everyone’s given right to freedom of belief and culture in accordance with the constitution and the laws in effect. Everyone shall reject violence and the use of force, and they shall all stop incitement, in all of its forms and with any message, against the other side. They shall solve the problems between them that might, Allah forbid, appear in the future through dialogue, brotherly understanding, and the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness among all. If these methods are not successful, then the state is responsible for solving these matters, in accordance with the law and the constitution.
  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship

    No specific mention.

  • Democracy

    No specific mention.

  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication
    Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
    Page 1-2, Seventh: Both sides agree to turning a new page of brotherhood, forgiveness, and acceptance of others, as well as reiterating everyone’s given right to freedom of belief and culture in accordance with the constitution and the laws in effect. Everyone shall reject violence and the use of force, and they shall all stop incitement, in all of its forms and with any message, against the other side. They shall solve the problems between them that might, Allah forbid, appear in the future through dialogue, brotherly understanding, and the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness among all. If these methods are not successful, then the state is responsible for solving these matters, in accordance with the law and the constitution.
  • Mobility/access
    Page 1, untitled preamble, ... This agreement shall secure the roads for all, and this is done with the intention of providing security and stability, avoiding chaos, and trying to coexist in light of the diversity in ideologies and political affiliations. ...

    Page 1, Second: The barriers and checkpoints that were set up by the parties to the conflict during the recent fighting on all roads in Arhab shall be removed, and any military positions that were taken on the side of the public roads for any reasons shall be ended. There shall only be two checkpoints manned by the military, with the necessary patrols from the army, to ensure that everyone has safe passage until the situation is stable (the first day).
  • Protection measures

    No specific mention.

  • Other

    No specific mention.


Rights institutions

  • NHRI

    No specific mention.

  • Regional or international human rights institutions

    No specific mention.


Justice sector reform

  • Criminal justice and emergency law

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts

    No specific mention.

  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws

    No specific mention.


Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction

    No specific mention.

  • National economic plan

    No specific mention.

  • Natural resources

    No specific mention.

  • International funds

    No specific mention.

  • Business

    No specific mention.

  • Taxation

    No specific mention.

  • Banks

    No specific mention.


Land, property and environment

  • Land reform/rights

    No specific mention.

  • Pastoralist/nomadism rights

    No specific mention.

  • Cultural heritage

    No specific mention.

  • Environment

    No specific mention.

  • Water or riparian rights or access

    No specific mention.


Security sector

  • Security Guarantees

    No specific mention.

  • Ceasefire
    Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
    Page 1, First: Immediate and permanent cessation of fire as soon as the parties sign this agreement, under the supervision and monitoring of the committee.

    Page 1, Third: The frontlines of the clashes between the two sides shall be handed over on the first day after this agreement is signed, and the army shall take up positions in these areas until the situation is stable.

    Page 1, Fourth: All of the remaining military positions and deployments shall be removed by both sides, not matter where they are, and at the same time. This shall be done on the second day after the signing of this agreement and based on a mechanism that shall be put in place by the committee.
  • Police

    No specific mention.

  • Armed forces
    Page 1, Third: The frontlines of the clashes between the two sides shall be handed over on the first day after this agreement is signed, and the army shall take up positions in these areas until the situation is stable.

    Page 1, Fifth: All of the fighters who were brought in by either side from outside the area to support the parties to the conflict during the war shall cooperate with both sides to bring about peace in the area by leaving Arhab and returning to their areas starting on the third day after the signing of the agreement and during the week after it. This shall be done with follow-up and supervision from the head and the members of the committee.
  • DDR

    No specific mention.

  • Intelligence services

    No specific mention.

  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
    Page 1, Fifth: All of the fighters who were brought in by either side from outside the area to support the parties to the conflict during the war shall cooperate with both sides to bring about peace in the area by leaving Arhab and returning to their areas starting on the third day after the signing of the agreement and during the week after it. This shall be done with follow-up and supervision from the head and the members of the committee.
  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption

    No specific mention.

  • Crime/organised crime

    No specific mention.

  • Drugs

    No specific mention.

  • Terrorism

    No specific mention.


Transitional justice

  • Transitional justice general

    No specific mention.

  • Amnesty/pardon

    No specific mention.

  • Courts

    No specific mention.

  • Mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Prisoner release
    Page 2, Eighth: The detainees and bodies of the dead shall be exchanged in the three days after the date of the signing of the agreement, and this shall be done under the supervision of the committee.
  • Vetting

    No specific mention.

  • Victims
    Page 2, Eighth: The detainees and bodies of the dead shall be exchanged in the three days after the date of the signing of the agreement, and this shall be done under the supervision of the committee.
  • Missing persons

    No specific mention.

  • Reparations
    Transitional justice→Reparations→Material reparations
    Page 1, Sixth: The Committee has decided that all of the martyrs who were killed during the fighting and are from the area of Arhab shall be the responsibility of the state. The state shall compensate their families because this round of fighting started because of developments in a public issue that came from outside the area, and there will not be any claims by any side against any other.
  • Reconciliation
    Page 1-2, Seventh: Both sides agree to turning a new page of brotherhood, forgiveness, and acceptance of others, as well as reiterating everyone’s given right to freedom of belief and culture in accordance with the constitution and the laws in effect. Everyone shall reject violence and the use of force, and they shall all stop incitement, in all of its forms and with any message, against the other side. They shall solve the problems between them that might, Allah forbid, appear in the future through dialogue, brotherly understanding, and the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness among all. If these methods are not successful, then the state is responsible for solving these matters, in accordance with the law and the constitution.

Implementation

  • UN signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Other international signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum for agreement

    No specific mention.

  • International mission/force/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Enforcement mechanism
    Page 1, First: Immediate and permanent cessation of fire as soon as the parties sign this agreement, under the supervision and monitoring of the committee.

    Page 1-2, Seventh: Both sides agree to turning a new page of brotherhood, forgiveness, and acceptance of others, as well as reiterating everyone’s given right to freedom of belief and culture in accordance with the constitution and the laws in effect. Everyone shall reject violence and the use of force, and they shall all stop incitement, in all of its forms and with any message, against the other side. They shall solve the problems between them that might, Allah forbid, appear in the future through dialogue, brotherly understanding, and the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness among all. If these methods are not successful, then the state is responsible for solving these matters, in accordance with the law and the constitution.

    Page 2, Ninth: The implementation of the provisions of this agreement and adhering to them is guaranteed by the state and is its responsibility through Gen. Ali Al Jaifi, the commander of the Reserve Forces. Gen. Al Jaifi shall rely on Allah and on the committee to do this, and there shall also be tribal guarantees from both sides. We pray that Allah guide all of us during this new period of brotherhood, tolerance, coexistence, cooperation, and freedom of belief and affiliation.
  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    al-Dhalea News, al-Dhalea News publishes minutes of meeting between the Houthis and the Arhab Tribes, addalinews.com, 9 February 2014, http://addalinews.com/Print/42784

Agreement Between the Houthis and the Tribes

With the help and guidance of Allah, with the generous support of His Excellency, President Abd Rabboh Mansour Hadi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and through the efforts of the mediation committee, headed by General Ali bin Ali Al Jaifi, and the members of the committee, including the brothers and sheikhs who are signed to this agreement, the parties to the conflict in Arhab have reached an agreement to end the armed clashes and deployment, as well as all manifestations of the fighting, in the area.

This agreement shall secure the roads for all, and this is done with the intention of providing security and stability, avoiding chaos, and trying to coexist in light of the diversity in ideologies and political affiliations.

This agreement shall turn a new page of brotherhood and cooperation, and the parties to the conflict that have signed below agree to the following steps:

First:

Immediate and permanent cessation of fire as soon as the parties sign this agreement, under the supervision and monitoring of the committee.

Second:

The barriers and checkpoints that were set up by the parties to the conflict during the recent fighting on all roads in Arhab shall be removed, and any military positions that were taken on the side of the public roads for any reasons shall be ended.

There shall only be two checkpoints manned by the military, with the necessary patrols from the army, to ensure that everyone has safe passage until the situation is stable (the first day).

Third:

The frontlines of the clashes between the two sides shall be handed over on the first day after this agreement is signed, and the army shall take up positions in these areas until the situation is stable.

Fourth:

All of the remaining military positions and deployments shall be removed by both sides, not matter where they are, and at the same time.

This shall be done on the second day after the signing of this agreement and based on a mechanism that shall be put in place by the committee.

Fifth:

All of the fighters who were brought in by either side from outside the area to support the parties to the conflict during the war shall cooperate with both sides to bring about peace in the area by leaving Arhab and returning to their areas starting on the third day after the signing of the agreement and during the week after it.

This shall be done with follow-up and supervision from the head and the members of the committee.

Sixth:

The Committee has decided that all of the martyrs who were killed during the fighting and are from the area of Arhab shall be the responsibility of the state.

The state shall compensate their families because this round of fighting started because of developments in a public issue that came from outside the area, and there will not be any claims by any side against any other.

Seventh:

Both sides agree to turning a new page of brotherhood, forgiveness, and acceptance of others, as well as reiterating everyone’s given right to freedom of belief and culture in accordance with the constitution and the laws in effect.

Everyone shall reject violence and the use of force, and they shall all stop incitement, in all of its forms and with any message, against the other side.

They shall solve the problems between them that might, Allah forbid, appear in the future through dialogue, brotherly understanding, and the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness among all.

If these methods are not successful, then the state is responsible for solving these matters, in accordance with the law and the constitution.

Eighth:

The detainees and bodies of the dead shall be exchanged in the three days after the date of the signing of the agreement, and this shall be done under the supervision of the committee.

Ninth:

The implementation of the provisions of this agreement and adhering to them is guaranteed by the state and is its responsibility through Gen. Ali Al Jaifi, the commander of the Reserve Forces.

Gen. Al Jaifi shall rely on Allah and on the committee to do this, and there shall also be tribal guarantees from both sides.

We pray that Allah guide all of us during this new period of brotherhood, tolerance, coexistence, cooperation, and freedom of belief and affiliation.

May Allah guide us all.

The Representatives of the Two Sides:

Sheikh Faris Mujahid Al Jubari Sheikh Mansour Ali Al Hanq

Guarantors:

Sheikh Nabeeh Muhsin Abu Nashtan / Sheikh Muhammad Jaber Al Jamrah

Sheikh Muhammad Sawa / Sheikh Muhammad Nawfal

Sheikh Fadhel Al Qaseer / Sheikh Hayel Saeed Muhsin Marih

Sheikh Muhsin Abu Hadi / Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Sinan

Hisham Radman / Sheikh Ali Alwan Al Marrani

Abdoh Mahmoud Al Subahi / Sheikh Dakam Muhammad Sawa

Muhammad Ali Al Mahras / Sheikh Mabkhout Bakir

Sheikh Ali Nawfal / Sheikh Ali Muhammad Radman

The Committee Tasked with Resolving the Conflict and Its Effects in Arhab:

Gen. Ali bin Ali Al Jaifi Committee Head and Commander of Reserve Forces

Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Badr Al Din

Sheikh Rabees Ali Wahban

Sheikh Abdulkareem Ahmad Al Maqdashi

Sheikh Mardhi bin Ka’lan

Sheikh Naif Al Awaj

Sheikh Hunain Muhammad Qatinah

Sheikh Ahmad bin Ahmad Mijawhan

Sheikh Naji Murait

Gen. Abdulqadir bin Ali Hilal

Sheikh Omar Al Arhabi