Houthis Release Detainees Amid Growing Public Anger and Calls to Replicate the Syrian Scenario in Yemen

Recent developments in Syria have pushed Yemen's Houthi group to release dozens of detainees previously arrested for advocating celebrations marking the 1962 revolution against the Imamate regime in northern Yemen. Political sources suggest this move is an attempt to appease rising public discontent and counter increasing calls to replicate Syria's liberation scenario in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a.

Detainees Released in Sana’a and Ibb

According to political sources in Sana’a and Ibb province, located 193 kilometers south of the capital, the Houthis recently released a group of detainees who had been held for three months on charges of organizing celebrations to mark the anniversary of Yemen's 26 September Revolution. Among those released were notable figures such as former Houthi supporter and activist Raddad al-Hudhaifi, teenager Amjad Marai, writer Saeed al-Haimi, and military pilot Muqbil al-Kawkabani, as well as other activists who had been transferred to the Houthis’ secret prisons in Sana’a.

Rising Public Outrage and the Influence of Syria’s Fallout

The move comes in response to mounting public anger against the Houthis, particularly following revelations of horrific crimes in Syrian regime prisons, a key ally of the Houthis. These revelations have fueled calls for a similar uprising to free Yemen from Houthi control and dismantle Iran’s influence in the region.

Previously, the Houthis had refused to release hundreds of detainees, most of them from Ibb province, including members of the General People’s Congress (GPC) party, who were accused of inciting chaos and promoting celebrations of the 1962 revolution. However, these accusations were primarily based on social media posts and lacked any legal basis, as celebrating the revolution and raising the national flag are not criminal offenses under Yemeni law.

Fear of Losing Grip on Power

The downfall of the Syrian regime and the exposure of abuses in its prisons have left the Houthis increasingly anxious about being the next target of anti-Iranian sentiments in the region. Under mounting pressure, they have instructed local governors to oversee the release of detainees while securing commitments from them not to organize revolutionary celebrations or display the national flag.

Calls for a Syrian-Style Liberation of Sana’a

While opinions differ on the religious orientation of Syria’s new leadership, Yemeni political and social elites widely agree on the need to replicate Syria’s scenario to liberate Sana’a from Houthi control. Many Yemenis, both online and on the streets, have expressed satisfaction over the Syrian regime’s downfall, seeing it as a hopeful precedent for ending Houthi dominance in northern Yemen.

An Opportunity for Yemen’s Government

Activists and political figures have urged the internationally recognized Yemeni government to capitalize on this growing momentum and public support to intensify efforts to reclaim Houthi-controlled territories. The widespread anger against the Houthis, coupled with waning regional support for Iran’s proxies, provides a crucial opportunity for decisive action.