Yemen: Houthi militias continue its violations against merchants in Sanaa
Local sources reported that the Houthi militias are again targeting merchants and shop owners in Sanaa, after closing seven markets and 102 shops, and seizing more than 40 businessmen in new oppression operations.
The sources also said that Houthi with arms have toured the markets, obliging shop owners and merchants to pay sums of money for financing the group’s military actions.
Indeed, the campaign started two weeks ago after and order by Houthi leaders following their gathering in Sanaa with industry and trade officials, and there was a field visit targeting citizens with claims of controlling prices and detecting violations.
Moreover, traders affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that, since the start of the movement, the group has captured more than 40 merchants from their shops in Sanaa, including 15 who worked in fertilizers. In fact, the captives were placed in Sanaa prisons, and Houthis rejected to liberate them or reopen the locked markets, except they pay taxes.
Furtehrmore, the group obliged hundreds of shop owners to pay between YR100, 000 and YR1 million depending on the volume of their commercial activity, and a share of the money would be consecrated for the group’s military operations.
Besides, a businessman in Sanaa, who talks with condition of anonymity, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthis continue to take the money of the citizens.
He also said that the latest oppression campaign is part of hundreds of organized movements launched by the group against many Yemeni groups in Sanaa and other cities. He added that the citizens are forced to pay royalties used for financing the group’s projects, its sectarian agenda, and insignificant war.
