Yemen’s Information Minister condemns Houthi militias for forcing state employees to attend “military” training sessions.

Forced Compliance and Humiliation

Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, has vehemently condemned the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s actions of compelling state administrative employees in their controlled territories to participate in “military” training sessions. This move is seen as a deliberate attempt to demean and subjugate Yemenis, feeding into the militia’s deep-seated animosity towards all things Yemeni.

Decade-long Plunder and Coercion

In a press statement, Al-Eryani highlighted that for ten years, the Houthi militia has been pillaging the salaries of state employees within their controlled areas. This has left the employees and their families in dire straits, battling hunger, poverty, disease, and displacement among other hardships. The militia is now forcing these individuals, regardless of age, administrative rank, or professional and academic expertise, to enroll in military training courses.

Manipulation Tactics

Al-Eryani pointed out that the Houthi militia pressures employees by threatening their job positions, coercing them to choose between attending the military and cultural courses or facing dismissal. Participants are also required to sign a code of conduct, partake in sectarian events and rituals, and listen to lectures by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

International Violations and Appeals

The minister emphasized that these criminal practices are not only exploitative of public service positions but also constitute a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian law. They are part of the militia’s systematic efforts to erode state institutions and transform civilian employees into pawns for their futile conflicts and to carry out Iranian dictates.

Al-Eryani has called on the international community to urgently designate the Houthi militia as a “global terrorist organization.” He advocates for sanctions through asset freezes, travel bans on its leaders, enhanced legal coordination among nations to pursue its members, and organizations providing financial or logistical support. Additionally, he urges international cooperation in intelligence sharing, combating financing and recruitment, and enforcing international resolutions on preventing the sale or supply of arms and dual-use materials to the militia.

This call to action underscores the urgent need for a global response to the Houthi militia’s ongoing violations and their impact on the Yemeni state and its people.

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