Violent clashes erupted in the city of Rada’a, located in Yemen’s Al-Bayda Governorate, after an attempted abduction by Houthi militants led to fierce resistance from local residents. 

The incident reportedly unfolded when armed members of the Houthi group tried to seize a young man in a densely populated neighborhood, triggering an immediate and bloody confrontation.

Local sources confirmed that tribal fighters intervened to prevent the kidnapping, prompting the Houthis to deploy reinforcements, impose a security cordon, and conduct raids across surrounding residential areas. Snipers were positioned on rooftops, further escalating the standoff.

The fighting left several casualties, with reports indicating fatalities on both sides—including civilians caught in the crossfire. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “chaotic and terrifying,” as homes were raided and movement within the city became severely restricted.

This incident is the latest in a string of tensions between Houthi forces and tribal communities in the region, where resentment has been simmering over years of oppression, arbitrary detentions, and surveillance.

Human rights activists and local leaders have condemned the use of force against civilians, warning that the growing clashes threaten to plunge the region into further instability.