Local Official in Rada’a Accuses Houthi Elements of Attempted Assassination of His Son

Hussein Saleh Bajeer, Secretary-General of the local council in Rada’a, Al-Bayda Governorate, has formally accused Houthi security forces of orchestrating an attack and kidnapping targeting his son, Tamim, following a wedding ceremony on September 26.

In a statement delivered before a tribal gathering at his residence, Bajeer detailed that a security vehicle belonging to the Rada’a Security Department deliberately rammed his son’s motorcycle near Al-Hilal Hospital. Following the collision, armed elements reportedly opened fire on the victim, wounding him before abducting him and transferring him to an undisclosed detention facility, which Bajeer described as a site used for systematic torture.

Bajeer characterized the incident as an attempted assassination, pointing to the involvement of unidentified Houthi leadership. He explicitly criticized the Houthi-appointed security director of Rada’a, Abu Sakhr Al-Khatib, accusing him and his subordinates of undermining state authority and disregarding the local government’s mandate.

The official confirmed that he has filed a formal complaint with the Public Prosecution, which subsequently issued directives to apprehend the suspects. Bajeer asserted that these legal orders remain unfulfilled, indicating a lack of cooperation from security agencies. Consequently, he has issued a three-day ultimatum for the arrest of those responsible, threatening to organize public protests and sit-ins outside the Rada’a Security Department if his demands are not met.

This incident reflects growing public frustration in Rada’a regarding the conduct of Houthi-aligned forces. Critics argue that such actions exemplify a broader pattern of impunity, where local leaders and security elements operate without accountability for human rights violations, further straining the relationship between the governing authorities and the local population.