Houthi Court Freezes Funds of International Relief Organization in Sana'a

A court under Houthi control in Sana'a has issued a judicial order to freeze the assets of the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) within banks operating in militia-controlled areas, a move expected to significantly impact the organization's humanitarian activities in Yemen.

Sources from human rights and banking sectors in Sana'a reported that the court's decision targets financial accounts essential for the IIRO to disburse salaries to its local staff and fund its relief and development projects in Sana'a and other governorates under Houthi authority. No official statement has been released by either the militia or the organization regarding this development.

The IIRO is recognized as one of the prominent humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen, with a presence dating back to the 1990s. Its interventions expanded considerably following the outbreak of war in 2015, encompassing food, health, water, shelter, and livelihood support across various regions of the country.

These latest measures are part of a series of restrictions faced by international and humanitarian organizations in Houthi-controlled territories in recent years. These have included office inspections, movement restrictions for personnel, and the imposition of additional conditions on the operations of several aid agencies.

Humanitarian workers warn that the continuation of such measures could directly impede the flow of aid to millions of Yemenis in need, given the widespread reliance on international organizations for essential services related to food security, healthcare, and emergency response in conflict zones.

Observers note that the operational environment for international organizations in Yemen, particularly within Houthi-controlled areas, has become increasingly complex. This is attributed to the intersection of humanitarian considerations with political, security, and financial interests, leading to heightened restrictions on their operations.

Some experts also point to the banking system in Houthi-controlled regions experiencing division and restrictions for years, rendering the accounts of international organizations sensitive files subject to stringent oversight, which can, in some instances, result in freezing or confiscation.

These developments occur amidst ongoing United Nations warnings about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, where millions require urgent assistance in food, health, and water, compounded by declining international funding and escalating operational constraints for organizations on the ground.