Popular Committees (Yemen)

In Yemen, popular committees are armed groups of members of Yemeni tribes which assisted the Yemeni army during the 2011–12 Yemeni uprising and the later Yemeni civil war. The groups were established in 2010 in the province of Shabwa, and their popularity has increased. During the Yemeni Revolution in 2012, committees were also created in the Abyan Governorate to support the army in the face of AQAP militants in South Yemen. By 2015, popular resistance committees had spread to other provinces of Yemen.

Overview
The Yemeni army has required the support of tribal militias or what have become known as People's Committees in internal and external wars. When the 1963 revolution in northern Yemen did not receive military support from the United Kingdom, some troops allied with the deposed imams to regain power. Tribal links weakened, especially in Taiz and Ibb; members received a monthly salary, wore military uniforms and underwent military training.

Northern residents with tribal ties were recruited for war under the leadership of their elders. Although they work with the Yemeni armed forces, they remain outside the regular army structure.

During the presidency of Abdul Rahman al-Iryani (1967–1974) the military battled over policy, beginning with a conflict over the establishment of the National Council. The popular committees further polarized the country.

During the 1980s Ali Abdullah Saleh reemphasized tribal affairs, in contrast with assassinated president Ibrahim al-Hamdi. His government clashed with the Houthis in Saada and 'Amran Governorates from 2004 to 2009, and the popular committees have fought al-Qaeda.

During the Battle of Aden, the committees played a major role in recapturing the city from the Houthis. In some provinces, they joined the popular resistance against AQAP.