Ceasefire agreed between govt and Houthi rebels following 7 months of heavy fighting in northern Saada region. Dozens killed on both sides in early-month clashes after govt rejected rebels’ end Jan truce offer; President Saleh declared ceasefire from midnight 12 Feb after rebels accepted govt conditions including withdrawal from positions, release of prisoners, return of captured weapons, removal of roadblocks. Ceasefire held despite killing of 2 soldiers 12 Feb and 16 Feb, attempted shooting of senior govt official 12 Feb blamed on rebels. Rebels 25 Feb reported withdrawing from Saada city; handed over 3 captured Saudi soldiers 15, 18 Feb (see Saudi Arabia); 16 Feb said pulled back from Saudi border. Unrest in southern provinces of Abyan, Dhali, Lahj, Hadramawt mid-late month followed 13 Feb killing of separatist demonstrator in Lahj; 4 security force members killed in separate attacks in south; over 100 reportedly arrested. Southern separatist supporters held large protest rallies in several cities 27-28 Feb. U.S. 22 Feb approved doubling of military aid for Yemen to $150m.

Fighting between Houthi-led rebels and govt, backed by Saudi forces, continued despite rebel leader Abd al-Malik al-Houthi’s 30 Jan acceptance of govt ceasefire terms. Al-Houthi 25 Jan also offered truce with Saudis (see Saudi Arabia). Rebels claimed Saudi airstrikes killed over 30 civilians 4, 7 Jan. Saudis 12 Jan reported retaking Jabri border area, killing “hundreds” of rebels. Yemeni govt 12 Jan said 19 rebels killed in Saada old city. UNHCR 29 Jan said population displaced by conflict since 2004 now over 250,000. Authorities made several raids against al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) amid increasing international focus on group. 2 group members reportedly killed by security forces 4 Jan in Arhab, 4 more arrested 5 Jan. Govt claimed senior leaders among 6 militants killed by airstrike in Saada province; AQAP 18 Jan denied deaths. Govt blamed AQAP for killing 3 soldiers at checkpoint in Shabwa province 24 Jan. Some 150 clerics 14 Jan warned of “jihad” if U.S. military intervenes in Yemen. Separatist supporters held strikes in southern provinces 10, 24-25 Jan; several wounded in clashes, Dhali’. Separatist-linked politician killed in Zinjibar, 29 Jan. At 27 Jan London conference on Yemen, G8, Gulf states set up mechanism to follow up on promised political, economic reforms in addition to security assistance.

Heavy fighting between govt forces and Houthi-led rebels continued in Saada province. Rebels claimed over 120 civilians killed in Razeh district by Saudi airstrikes 13, 20 Dec; reported death toll, Saudi responsibility not independently verified. Govt 20 Dec claimed rebel leader Abd al-Malik alHouthi seriously injured. Al-Houthi 2 Jan welcomed President Saleh’s call for ceasefire if govt operations stopped; rebels also called for talks with Saudi govt 31 Dec. Yemen-based al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) group claimed responsibility for 25 Dec attempted bombing of U.S. airliner by Nigerian.U.S., UK 3 Jan announced increase in funding for counterterrorism in Yemen, closed embassies after reported al-Qaeda threat. Authorities reported air and ground strikes 17 Dec in Arhab, north of capital, and southern Abyan province killed 34 members of AQAP; 30 AQAP members, including senior figures, killed 24 Dec in further airstrike, Shabwa province. U.S. reportedly provided logistical, intelligence support for strikes. Locals also reported tens of civilian deaths in Abyan raid; separatist Southern Movement 19 Dec held protests over casualties in several southern towns. Violence in south around 3 Dec elections for vacant parliament seats; 2 killed in Dhali’.

Saudi forces 4 Nov launched ongoing offensive against Houthi-led rebels in Saada province following rebels’ 3 Nov cross-border incursion in Jabal Dukhan area (see Saudi Arabia). Saudi authorities 8 Nov reported 4 Saudi civilians, 3 soldiers killed recapturing Jabal Dukhan; 3 further soldiers reported dead 22 Nov. Rebels 27 Nov said 9 Saudi soldiers captured. Saudis also claimed tens of rebels killed, over 200 captured. Despite initial denials of widespread reports that Saudi airstrikes and shelling hitting Yemeni territory, Saudi officials mid-month said strikes enforcing 10km buffer zone inside Yemen. Saudi navy 10 Nov imposed coastal blockade; forces thwarted rebel attack on Midi port 22 Nov. Yemeni forces reported killing 3 rebel commanders 18 Nov, repelling rebel attacks on Saada city 20, 28 Nov. UNHCR 10 Nov said total displaced by conflict now over 175,000. 3 protesters, 2 soldiers killed in 25 Nov clash at Southern pro-secession rally in Ataq, Shabwa province; pro-secession protesters blocked Sanaa-Aden road 26-27 Nov. Large-scale security crackdown in Aden prevented demonstrations on 30th anniversary of South Yemen independence from Britain. Jihadi militants attacked prison in Abyan province 1 Nov. 3 senior security officers, 4 guards killed in 3 Nov ambush attributed to al-Qaeda near Saudi border, Hadramawt. 7 al-Qaeda suspects arrested 12 Nov.

Govt offensive against Houthi-led rebels in northern Saada, Amran provinces continued for second month; fighting reported in Saada city, Harf Sufyan district between Saada and capital. Govt claimed up to 140 rebels killed as 22 Sept rebel offensive against Saada city fought back; casualty reports largely unverifiable as media access restricted. At least 80 civilians reported killed 16 Sept in govt airstrike on displaced persons camp; civilian deaths also reported in 26 Sept airstrike. Govt 1 Sept rejected Houthis’ ceasefire proposal, insisting on 6 conditions set out in Aug. Rebels, govt traded accusations of blame as ceasefires to allow humanitarian aid into area rapidly broke down 4, 19 Sept; aid agencies, UN officials including SG Ban 18 Sept, appealed for access to area, warned of potential humanitarian crisis; UN estimated total 150,000 people displaced in north since 2004 including 55,000 in recent fighting. In south, armed clashes between Southern Movement supporters, security forces reported in Zinjibar 28 Sept, Dhali’, Lahj, 30 Sept.

Ongoing conflict between government and Zaidi Shiite Houthi rebels in north escalated as govt 11 Aug launched offensive against rebels in Saada and Amran provinces, backed by airstrikes, artillery fire. Dozens reportedly killed on both sides, including Houthi leaders, civilians; govt, rebel sources gave conflicting reports of death toll. Rebels 30 Aug claimed capture of key govt outpost in Malahidh area, Saada. UNHCR 21 Aug said 35,000 displaced since start of offensive; aid agencies put total displaced by conflict in north at over 100,000. Govt 13 Aug proposed 6 conditions for ceasefire, including rebel withdrawals, release of foreigners kidnapped in June; proposal reiterated by President Saleh 21 Aug, rejected by Houthis. In south, bomb exploded near govt building in Zinjibar, Abyan province 8 Aug. 12 Aug assassination attempt on governor of Lahj blamed on separatist Southern Movement. Authorities 19 Aug arrested alleged jihadist group members accused of $500,000 bank robbery in Aden 17 Aug.

Deadly clashes between security forces and supporters of separatist Southern Movement continued. Demonstrations in several cities on 7 July civil war anniversary; dozens detained, 2 protesters killed. At least 16 protesters killed 23 July in armed clashes with security forces in Zinjibar, Abyan province. 4 police killed in ambush in Abyan 28 July. Separatists blamed for 10 July murder of 3 northern shopkeepers in Lahj. In north, 10 killed in 18-19 July clashes between Zaydi Shiite Houthi rebels and Sunni al-Islah movement supporters over control of mosque, al-Jawf province. Army colonel, 2 guards killed by Houthi rebels 19 July; 7 soldiers reported killed in army-rebel clashes in Saada 23-24 July. 1 al-Qaeda suspect, 3 troops killed in clashes, Marib, 30-31 July. 6 sentenced to death 13 July for al-Qaeda-linked attacks on foreigners in 2007-8.

Clashes between security forces, secessionist protesters in southern regions continued with early-month protests in Abyan, Lahj, Mukalla; 2 killed at 8 June funeral march for 6 dead from May protests, Radfan. Further clashes reported in Mukalla 15 June, Abyan 22 June; pro-govt, unity rally in Dhali’ clashed with counter-demonstration 24 June. In Saada, 24 hospital workers kidnapped 11 June, freed next day; 9 foreign hospital workers kidnapped 12 June, 3 later found killed. Govt blamed abduction on Houthi rebels; Houthis denied involvement. Govt, Houthi spokesmen 15 June traded accusations of conflict escalation; ICRC 16 June reported 500 families displaced by recent fighting. Houthis released 25 captured soldiers 24 June. Authorities announced 2 Saudis suspected of al-Qaeda links arrested 12, 18 June.

Marked increase in anti-govt unrest, separatist sentiment in South. Late-Apr clashes between govt, separatist Southern Movement (SM) supporters in Radfan, Lahj province, continued, killing 5 security force members, 2 civilians; situation calmed after mediation committee formed 3 May. Pro-SM protesters clashed with police Dhali’ 16-17 May. 3 protesters killed, over 100 arrested in Aden 21 May as govt marked official anniversary of 1990 reunification. At least four killed 30-31 May in separate clashes between protesters and police, Lahj, Dhali’ and Hadramawt provinces. Exiled former VP al-Beidh called for southern independence 21 May. Govt banned 7 papers for covering unrest early month; 1 killed 13 May as security forces surrounded Aden offices of Al-Ayyam daily. Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula leader issued statement supporting southern protests 13 May. 7 reported dead in earlymonth clashes between govt supporters and Houthi rebels in northern Saada region; Houthi sources accused army of targeting civilians in late-month campaign.