Houthi militias have abducted several residents, including minors, from a village in the Hamdan district north of Sanaa during a military operation. The detentions occurred following the villagers' efforts to dig a well, which the militias had previously authorized for a fee, only to demand further payments. Local sources reported that the Houthi administration, through its so-called "Water Resources Authority," initially collected approximately five million Yemeni Rials from the villagers to permit well construction. Subsequently, the militia returned, demanding an equivalent sum, which residents characterized as extortion and repeated taxation. The sources further indicated that military commanders involved in the campaign stipulated a payment of 200,000 Rials for the withdrawal of their forces and to allow villagers to resume well-digging operations. Concurrently, the Houthi-affiliated security administration in Hamdan deployed over 13 military vehicles to the village, establishing a presence that included female security personnel known as "Zainabiyat." The operation led to the abduction of several residents, including minors, under the pretext of violating arbitrary digging procedures. This campaign has instilled widespread fear and panic among the villagers, compelling most to flee the area. According to the sources, only women and children remain in the village. Villagers have appealed to human rights organizations and judicial bodies for urgent intervention to protect them and halt what they described as arbitrary practices. They accused the Houthi security apparatus of weaponizing security for extortion and intimidation rather than safeguarding the populace, highlighting instances of looting, abduction, and the imposition of financial demands under various pretexts. |
