Tihama Resistance

Historical background

The Tihama Resistance finds its roots in the Tihama Movement, as a peaceful organization that emerged during the 2011 Youth Uprising. Led by Abdulrahman Shuai Hujari,²Al Arab, ‘Abd al-Rahman Hajari to The Arab Weekly: Tihama is represented by its sons in any political arrangements leading to a solution to the Yemeni crisis,’ 27 April 2021 The Tihama Movement advocated for the resolution of Tihama’s socio-economic and political grievances and demanded self-governance, drawing upon the distinct culture and history of self-rule in the region.³Al Quds, ‘The Hirak movement.. Why is the resistance against the Houthi militants in western Yemen at the forefront?,’ 27 October 2014 In October 2014, as the Houthis invaded al-Hudayda, Tihama fighters, called the Popular Resistance, countered them.⁴Hod News, ‘“Photo” Houthi militants control the historic Corniche Castle in Hodeidah,’ 24 October 2014 The Tihama Resistance’s formalization began with the Resistance Council, led by Hudayda’s Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) Governor Sakhir al-Wajih. Around August 2015,⁵Al Araby, ‘Violent clashes between the Houthis and the Zaranik tribes in western Yemen,’ 28 August 2015 the Zaraniq tribes escalated their resistance and in 2016 joined the Resistance in the Supreme Council for Supporting the Popular Resistance in Tihama.⁶Tehama Press, ‘The Supreme Council for Supporting the Popular Resistance in the Tihama region holds its first meeting and elects an administrative body,’ 25 April 2016 

In early 2017, the Tihama Resistance was formally established and its members were trained by the UAE.⁷Nadwa al-Dawsari, ‘Fantasies of State Power Cannot Solve Yemen’s War,’ The Century Foundation, 13 July 2021 In December 2017, some of its units participated in the operations on the West Coast under the leadership of Hujari and the operational command of Kawkabani. After the takeover of the coastal city of Mukha and the Khalid bin al-Walid camp in December, the UAE intensified the training of the Tihama Resistance, forming four brigades, for a total of around 6,000 fighters.⁸Al Bayan, ‘The liberation of Al-Khawkhah is the result of Emirati efforts to support the resistance,’ 11 December 2017

In 2018, the Tihama Resistance actively took part in Operation Golden Spear and Operation Red Thunder. However, following the ceasefire in July 2018, the majority of their fighters were integrated into the Giants Brigades and the Guards of the Republic. Specifically, four new brigades were formed within the Giants Brigades, consisting of 7,000 Tihama Resistance fighters, including members from the Zaraniq tribe.⁹Al Masdar Online, ‘Integration of 7,000 fighters from the Tihama Resistance into the Giants Forces Brigades on the West Coast,’ 12 July 2018 Additionally, another 3,000 fighters were assigned to the Guards of the Republic.¹⁰Eleonora Ardemagni, ‘Integrating Yemen’s Armed Groups: Pathways of Decentralisation,’ ISPI, 13 July 2022

The dismantling of the Tihama Resistance resulted in tensions and armed clashes between NRF Leader Tariq Saleh and the Tihami leadership. In 2019, Kawkabani – the commander of the 1st Tihama Resistance Brigade – refused to surrender state institutions in al-Khukha to the newly appointed governor of al-Hudayda, who was perceived as aligned with Tariq Saleh,¹¹Nadwa al-Dawsari, ‘Fantasies of State Power Cannot Solve Yemen’s War,’ The Century Foundation, 13 July 2021 while Hujari rejected Saleh’s “guardianship” over Tihama and its coast.¹²Al Masdar Online, ‘Integration of 7,000 fighters from the Tihama Resistance into the Giants Forces Brigades on the West Coast,’ 12 July 2018

Meanwhile, disagreements erupted within the Tihami leadership. In June 2020, Kawkabani proclaimed himself leader of the Tihama Resistance, but his authority was not recognized by other leaders. Pressured by Tariq Saleh,¹³Motabaat, ‘Sources reveal the reasons for the movement in Tihama against Tariq Saleh, and the details of Tariq’s support for a coup against Kawkabani,’ 1 August 2021 the Tihama Resistance formed a military council in August 2021, appointing Zahzuh as the new leader to replace Hujari.¹⁴Al Hadath Hour, ‘Urgent.. The Tihama Resistance Forces appoint a new leader for them.. Details of what is happening on the West Coast?,’ 25 August 2023 Tensions between Tariq Saleh and Kawkabani reached their peak in November 2021, resulting in Kawkabani’s removal from the command of the 1st Tihama Brigade following multiple assassination attempts.¹⁵Al Arabi News, ‘Emirati appointments in the West Coast Forces,’ 10 November 2021

Throughout 2022 and 2023, the operations of the Tihama Resistance have consistently remained at a low level, remaining primarily focused on the districts of al-Hays and al-Khawkha in Hudayda.