SHORT OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING IS SAADA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000697 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER PINR YM DOMESTIC POLITICS COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: SHORT OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING IS SAADA Classified By: CDA Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (U) Fighting broke out between ROYG security forces and members of the "Believing Youth" (Shabab al-Moumin) in the northern city of Saada March 19. Four supporters of the late anti-American Shi'ite Cleric al-Houthi were reportedly killed while attempting to flee police after a shoot out at the Talh weapons market. Official sources say the four were buying arms for possible use against the government. Three other rebels and a policeman were reportedly injured as well. 2(C) Minister of Interior Rashad al-Alimi told CDA March 20 that the immediate fighting was over, but that tensions remain high because the dead were leaders in the Shabab al-Moumin organization. Following the fatal shoot-out, Alimi reported, small demonstrations erupted in Saada with participants shouting anti-ROYG, anti-American, and anti-Israeli slogans. The visit of an Embassy group was canceled by the MOI as a result. Government security remains tight and Alimi he would be keeping a close watch on the area in the coming days and weeks. Khoury