On September 21, a peace deal reached between Yemen’s warring factions ushered in a new political era in the country. The agreement, signed by representatives from all political parties, ended the week-long violence between Houthi fighters and government troops with allied militias.
In mid-August, thousands of Houthi protesters, along with other groups, including supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, took to the streets in protest against the increase in fuel prices, which the government had implemented in late July, and demanded the formation of a new government.
Houthi fighters entered Sanaa on September 18 after a one month protest.
The main sites of conflict centred around strategic military bases and places controlled by Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a member of al-Islah (Yemen’s Muslim Brotherhood) and one of the movement’s biggest rivals.
Fighting between Houthi forces and Islamists and tribal militias, along with military units loyal to al-Ahmar, quickly spiralled out of control, and saw the Houthis seize key strategic areas in the capital.
The resolution came suddenly – government troops surrendered, Houthis and other militias withdrew from most areas, and a deal was brokered between a number of political parties.
The peace agreement stipulates that President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi appoint personal advisers from the Houthis and the Southern Movement, a movement that calls for the independence of southern Yemen, and form a new government within a month.
The question, however, across board in Yemen is: Will all parties honour the deal?