Mobilization of Popular Forces Resumes in North Yemen to "Support Gaza"

The Ansar Allah (Houthi) General Mobilization Authority announced its resumption of open military courses titled "Al-Aqsa Flood.

Late yesterday, the Houthi General Mobilization issued a statement, calling on all Yemeni men and youth in Houthi-controlled provinces to communicate with the "mobilization" officials in all districts to coordinate and enroll in military courses.

According to the statement, this move comes within the "framework of the Yemeni people to support Gaza and in response to the call of the Houthi movement chief, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi."

In November, the Houthi group began mobilizing forces in Yemen's northern provinces, recruiting thousands of fighters. While recruitment activities have declined since the start of Ramadan, they have resumed today.

Since the start of the Houthi attacks on Israel and shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea in November, the Houthi group has attracted thousands of fresh fighters in several provinces.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in February the Houthi group had recruited more than 70,000 new fighters during the last three months in the provinces of Dhamar, Sanaa, Saada, Amran, Hajjah, and Al-Hudaydah. This mobilization of forces is ongoing as the group prepares for a long war with international troops in the Red Sea.

The HRW stated, "While it is unclear how many of the fresh recruits have been children, several activists and experts working on issues related to child recruitment said the vast majority of recruits are aged 13 to 25, including at least hundreds or thousands who are younger than 18."

The Houthis' ability to recruit more fighters over the last few years had declined. However, the breakout of the Gaza-Israel war served as a golden opportunity for resuming recruitment.

The Houthi group has adopted various approaches to attract new fighters. The mechanisms of recruitment have changed and evolved since the group began getting involved in the Gaza-Israel war, according to a previous report by Sheba Intelligence.

The report revealed that Houthi authorities opened camps in all the provinces to attract volunteers "to fight against America and Israel". The camps were opened in the Houthi-controlled countryside and cities, and recruits received ideological preparation and military training.

Observers say that the Houthi group will likely use the newly recruited force and attempt to control the oil and gas areas in Marib and Shabwah.