Fears of a new Yemen civil war rising fast

In southern Yemen, an atmosphere of mistrust and apprehension grips the population as fears of the imminent outbreak of civil war spread.

Diplomatic staff from the United States and Britain have been withdrawn from Aden, amid rising tensions in the city.

Clashes in the southern city between fighters linked to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Houthis, and loyalists of the internationally recognised head of state, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi are increasing in intensity.

Houthi retreat

Two special forces bases that house troops allied to Saleh and the Houthis in Aden and Lahjej have been attacked by anti-Houthi groups, leading the rebel forces to withdraw from the hostile southern provinces.

People in the south fear that the withdrawal was a temporary measure and will lead to reprisal attacks.

The troops are thought to have since been bolstered with reinforcements by Houthi fighters from Sanaa and the newly conquered city of Taiz.

Hadi-aligned military units are reportedly making preparations for an attack on Taiz from the north, while anti-Houthi tribes are being mobilised to defend the city's south from further advances by the militia.

Two mosques with links to the Houthi movement were hit by suicide bombers on Friday, killing 142 people. Al-Qaeda denied it was behind the attack, saying it did not target mosques.

The Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis), a militant organisation seen as more radical than al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Although sectarian tensions are not widely evident in Yemen, there are fears that political rivals and extremist groups could use the crisis to mobilise support based on sect.

The Houthis are a Shia-Zaydi group, viewed as "heretics" by the likes of the largely Sunni al-Qaeda and IS.

Yemen's south is largely Sunni, and the president, a southerner himself, appears to be ratcheting up his rhetoric to fit with this new sectarian trend.

"[I will ensure that] the Yemeni republic flag will fly on the Marran Mountain in Saada, instead of the Iranian flag," Hadi told his supporters, in his first televised speech since he fled the capital following the Houthi coup.

Saada, in the north, is the stronghold of the Houthis and the mountains are populated mainly by Shia-Zaydi tribes.

Iran, a largely Shia regime, has frequently been accused of supporting the Houthis and using the tribal militia as a way of increasing its influence in Yemen.

"The Iranian Twelver pattern that has been agreed upon between the Houthis and those who support them will not be accepted by Yemenis, whether Zaydi or Shafite," Hadi continued.

The Houthis' compelling ascent has not been built merely on sectarian loyalty or supposed Iranian backing but also on smart political calculations and strategic planning.

By bringing together several allies in a short space of time, the militia has been able to move from Yemen's political and geographical margins to centre stage.

"The Houthis have been very successful in pulling in many groups who are disaffected by the transitional government; with the corruption and undue influence from Saudi Arabia and America," Adam Baron, Yemen expert and visiting fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, told al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Extremist groups such as al-Qaeda are viewed as an enemy by both Hadi loyalists, a majority of southerners, and the Houthis.

Almost all armed groups in Yemen, whether Zaydi or Sunni majority, have taken part in battles against the militant organisation.