Houthi Levies for Hezbollah Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis

The Houthi group has intensified its collection of mandatory donations from residents in support of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, amid warnings that the number of people in need of food aid in areas under Houthi control could rise to 12 million by next year. This compares to about a third of that number in areas controlled by the legitimate government.

Commercial sources in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana’a, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi representatives continue to force major businessmen, traders, and vendors to contribute large sums of money as donations for Hezbollah, in addition to other mandatory donations collected directly from residents via representatives or neighborhood officials. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi pledged days ago to continue supporting Hezbollah and military operations against Israel, threatening to escalate attacks despite a ceasefire between the group and the Israeli army, signaling the ongoing support for Hezbollah in areas controlled by the Houthis.

Sources added that the Houthi group continues to collect donations for its military activities through mobile phone companies and via its representatives in mosques, schools, and universities, in addition to multiple levies imposed on vendors and shops, causing many small businesses to go bankrupt and leaving many street vendors unable to provide for their families.

Residents in areas under Houthi control are suffering from severe economic hardship due to the effects of the coup and war for over ten years, including the suspension of public sector salaries for more than eight years, rising unemployment, and deteriorating business sectors.