One dead and one injured in Houthi clashes over a looted house in the city of Ibb.

A violent confrontation among Houthi fighters in the city of Ibb has resulted in one death and one injury. The conflict arose from a dispute over a house that the militia had confiscated, highlighting ongoing tensions within the group.

Background of the Dispute

Local sources report that armed clashes erupted between Houthi factions from Khawlan, who had taken over the home of citizen Muhammad al-Hashdi, and other militia security personnel in the province. The house, valued at approximately one million dollars, became the focal point of the conflict.

Escalation of Tensions

The discord intensified after the militia seized the property through the Central Bank, which operates under their control in Sana’a. They expelled al-Hashdi’s family from the residence, citing a commercial case as justification for their actions.

Historical Context of the Property Dispute

The roots of this case date back to 1996 when al-Hashdi borrowed 14 million riyals from the Central Bank, using the property documents as collateral. Unfortunately, he faced difficulties repaying the loan due to a shipment not arriving at the port.

Subsequently, the bank demanded that al-Hashdi pay 43 million riyals to cover the loan and interest. The situation escalated when the bank filed a lawsuit, leading to the court seizing the four-story house and putting it up for auction.

Al-Hashdi’s Plea for Justice

Sources indicate that al-Hashdi requested the bank return the documents so that he could sell the house or the land at the market price to repay his debt. However, the militia authorities rejected his plea, proceeding with the court’s ruling to confiscate the property. They subsequently transferred ownership to another individual after forcibly removing al-Hashdi’s family.

This incident underscores the internal strife within the Houthi militia and raises questions about property rights and the treatment of citizens under their control. The ongoing conflicts over seized properties continue to create instability and unrest in the region.

 

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