Financial Scandal Rocks Taiz: Al-Islah Party Accused of Embezzling One Billion Rials from Qat Tax Revenues

A shocking financial scandal has erupted in Taiz, Yemen, following revelations by local journalist Marzouk Yassin, who described the situation as a manifestation of systematic corruption. He accused what he referred to as “the ruling army of the Al-Islah Party” of embezzling more than 1.147 billion Yemeni rials over just 45 days, taken from qat tax revenues.

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In a post on his official Facebook page, Yassin stated that armed forces loyal to the Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Al-Islah) have, since May 22, 2025, seized control of qat market revenues, confiscating the daily collections and transferring the funds to accounts outside the legal and institutional frameworks, according to Al-Omanaa, a Yemeni newspaper.

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For nearly eight years, militias aligned with Al-Islah, operating under the Taiz Military Axis and other affiliated armed formations, have maintained a tight grip on state resources and public revenues in the city. This has continued unchecked, with what observers describe as a disturbing silence from government authorities, deepening public frustration and raising serious concerns about the lack of accountability.

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This alleged plundering comes amid severe living crises in Taiz, including acute water shortages, a lack of domestic gas, and persistent power outages. The situation has intensified popular anger, as residents watch the systematic looting of their city’s resources in broad daylight, without any meaningful intervention from the legitimate authorities or the internationally recognized government.

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