![Houthi fighters chant slogans during a February 2nd gathering in Sanaa. Amran and Shabwa province residents rejected the militia's rallying cry on Eid al-Fitr, leading to clashes. [Mohammed Huwais/AFP]](/cnmi_am/images/2017/06/26/8538-Yemen-Sanaa-Houthis-700_496.webp)
Tension is mounting between the Houthis (Ansarallah) and residents of Yemen's Amran and Shabwa provinces, after locals rejected the militia's dictates at mosques on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Yemeni officials said.
Gunfire broke out at a mosque in Amran province's Shehara district when residents refused to chant the militia's rallying cry. Four were killed and six were wounded in clashes during Eid prayers.
"Some people were killed and wounded because some tribesmen refused to chant the slogan," said Interior Ministry media centre deputy director Col. Mohammed Hazzam.
"Tensions are still high into the second day of Eid al-Fitr following the clashes, which prompted Ansarallah to call in reinforcements," he told Al-Mashareq.
The clashes broke out after two Houthi gunmen -- Sadeq Qiran and his nephew -- prevailed on all worshipers to shout the slogan. They were killed right away, after they opened fire on the resentful worshipers following Eid prayers.
Shehara tribes urged the Amran governor to intervene and resolve the problem by withdrawing Houthi elements from the area.
In a show of protest against the Houthis, Shabwa province residents walked out of the Eid sermons at mosques delivered by Houthi-installed preachers.
Worshipers at al-Alya city's al-Matar mosque promptly left after a Houthi militia leader rose to give the sermon on Sunday (June 25th).
Similar incidents occurred in the villages of Muqas and al-Naqoub, local media reported.
