Yemen Monitor / Al-Jawf / Newsroom:
Large groups of tribal members gathered on Thursday in eastern Al-Jawf Governorate in response to a call issued by Sheikh Hamad bin Fadgham Al-Hazmi after he left areas under Houthi control.
Local sources said that tribes from Hadramawt, Marib, and Al-Mahrah, in addition to tribes from Al-Jawf, arrived in the Al-Rayyan area of eastern Al-Jawf following a tribal mobilization initiated by the Al-Maraziq tribes after Sheikh Hamad bin Fadgham reached the area.
According to the sources, the tribes are demanding the release of a woman they identify as “Mira Saddam Hussein,” who they say remains under the protection and responsibility (“lahiqah”) of Sheikh Hamad. They are calling for her safe arrival at the tribal gathering, justice for her, and the full restoration of her rights.
Sheikh Al-Hazmi’s public remarks generated widespread attention after his escape from Houthi-controlled territory. In his speech, he described the imprisonment and pressure he said he had endured because of his support for the woman, while rejecting the Houthis’ account that she was falsely claiming her identity.
The sources also stated that, after returning to his home, Sheikh Al-Hazmi came under additional tribal pressure in an attempt to force him to admit that he had wronged Sheikh Faris Manaa, who is aligned with the Houthis. This followed his appearance outside the villa where “Mira” had been living before Houthi authorities allegedly removed her from the property and handed it over to Faris Manaa.
According to the sources, Bin Fadgham ultimately left Houthi-controlled territory before dawn and fled to government-held areas. There, he issued an appeal and released a video statement in which he described the events he said he had experienced and broke down in tears. The video circulated widely across media outlets and social media platforms, prompting a wave of public reaction. Many commentators said it reflected the depth of the suffering and pressure he had endured.
In response, Houthi supporters launched a counter-campaign against Sheikh Bin Fadgham, accusing him of betrayal. The campaign included several prominent figures from the Bin Fadgham tribe. Individuals close to the sheikh said he felt abandoned by members of his own tribe, a factor they said contributed to his decision to leave his home area.
