The Minister of Information stated that the Houthi claim of a “blockade” is false, as ports operate and markets are full, but citizens struggle to buy.
Houthi Claims of a “Siege” Challenged by Reality
Minister of Information Responds to Houthi Allegations
The Minister of Information, Muammar Al-Eryani, has firmly rejected the Houthi militia’s claims of a “siege” as the root cause of economic and humanitarian crises in areas under their control. He emphasized that these assertions clash with on-the-ground realities and economic indicators that expose the falsehood of their narrative. Al-Eryani posed a critical question: If a comprehensive siege has existed for years, where are the indicators and natural consequences of such a situation?
Economic Conditions Under Houthi Control
Lack of Evidence for a Siege
In a recent press statement, Al-Eryani pointed out that regions truly experiencing a siege typically suffer from severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. These areas often see long queues for basic necessities, repeated warnings about dwindling strategic reserves, and disruptions in supply chains. However, areas controlled by the Houthi militia have not exhibited these phenomena. Instead, markets continue to operate, goods flow freely, and the ports of Hodeidah regularly receive commercial vessels, especially since the humanitarian truce began in April 2022.
Shipping Data Supports Claims of Supply Availability
Ports Remain Active
Al-Eryani highlighted that maritime traffic data confirms the ongoing arrival of fuel, wheat, food products, and consumer goods at the ports of Hodeidah. Since the beginning of 2026, these ports have welcomed approximately 313 commercial ships. This influx has resulted in an abundance of goods in local markets, indicating that the real issue lies not in a lack of supplies but in the declining purchasing power of citizens.
Economic Policies Contributing to Decline
Destructive Policies of the Houthi Militia
The Minister attributed the decline in consumption to the destructive policies implemented by the Houthi militia against the state, national economy, and private sector. Key issues include the looting of public revenues, suspension of employee salaries, imposition of taxes and fees, and the impoverishment of society. These actions have eroded citizens’ purchasing power, leading to increased poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
The Truth Behind the Houthi Narrative
Reality vs. Houthi Claims
Al-Eryani asserted that the myth of a “siege” can no longer withstand scrutiny. Ports are operational, ships are arriving, and markets are filled with goods. The rising prices in Houthi-controlled areas do not reflect a shortage of supply or disruptions in delivery. Instead, they reveal the existence of a parallel economy created by the militia to support its war efforts and fund its terrorist activities, enriching its leaders and financiers through a system based on monopolization and exploitation of citizens.
Conclusion: The Real Struggle for Citizens
Economic Burden on the Population
Al-Eryani concluded by emphasizing a truth known to every Yemeni: markets have never been devoid of goods; rather, citizens’ pockets have been emptied. In Houthi-controlled areas, individuals do not stand in line searching for flour or fuel; they are unable to purchase these essentials due to financial constraints. The militia has seized their salaries, confiscated their resources, and burdened them with taxes and fees, turning their livelihoods into fuel for its wars and using the economy to finance its coup agenda and enrich its leaders.
For more information, visit Yemen TV.
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