Yemen: Houthi Militia Steals Relief Materials and Replaces Them with Expired Products
The Houthi group has not been satisfied with bombings, bullets, and terrorist crimes, and recently the Yemeni markets in the governorates under its control have been flooded with expired foodstuffs. Censorship authorities have repeatedly claimed to seize and destroy large quantities of expired products from Yemeni shops and markets, and to bring those responsible to justice. The Houthis recently began seizing expired products and replacing them on the market for substantial financial gain.
To compensate for their losses
More recently, such products have been seen on the shelves of supermarkets despite the fact that the Houthi-run monitoring authorities have always announced large quantities of them have been seized. A businessman from Sanaa said that expired food items have spread in the market because they have turned into a profit source for Houthi militias, adding that the rebel group blackmails traders and confiscates their goods even if they are not expired, then threatens them with closing their shops and holding them accountable. He added that he asked not to be named, pointing out that to the measures imposed by the Houthis to compensate for the large quantities of them, saying that expired food items are being sold by Houthi militias “Houthi-run media reported last week that the group’s regulatory authorities controlled a company that was storing expired foodstuffs before recycling them in private factories in the capital, and that its owner was arrested with tons of expired products in five warehouses and factories”.
Destruction of citizens’ health
A source in the ministry admitted that expired food commodities are flooding the markets, and that the Houthi regulatory authorities allow merchants to sell expired goods and turn a blind eye to selling in broad daylight in return for a large percentage of profits. The source confirmed that companies and traders supporting the militias commit these violations and harm the health of citizens without questioning or accountability. He added that many expired items are also distributed as part of the relief programs provided by the militias to improve their image. The source confirmed that the Houthi militia often exchange these expired items with relief assistance provided by foreign countries and international organizations.
