Monitoring Desk
July 31, 2024
AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s Houthi militia group has asked the UN human rights agency in Sanaa to close its operation.
Yemeni government’s Human Rights Minister Ahmed Arman and local media reports say that the Houthi group in a letter ordered the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Sanaa to shut down its operation within three days. The reasons for this request were not provided.
“The office will be closed down by Thursday. The Houthis intend to shut offices of foreign organizations that do not produce help or money, such as those for human rights, capacity-building and development groups,” Arman said.
Ahmed Arman said that the Houthis are targeting international and humanitarian organizations in their regions, alleging that these entities are being used for espionage by the US and Israel. He linked recent raids and arrests of humanitarian workers to the Houthis’ strategy of controlling aid distribution and suppressing dissent.
In May, the Houthis intensified attacks on UN agencies and Western missions, abducting over 70 Yemenis, including nine women, who worked for these organizations. The Houthis have accused these workers of undermining Yemen’s sectors by acting as agents for foreign powers.
Arman criticized the Houthis’ actions as part of a broader agenda to restrict freedoms and suppress rights while retaining only those organizations that provide aid beneficial to them, such as the World Food Programme, WHO, and UNICEF.
The UN has not yet responded to requests for comment on the closure of the Sanaa office.
In parallel developments, the Houthis have reiterated threats against oil tankers if the Yemeni government attempts to resume oil exports.
The Houthi Supreme Economic Committee denied reaching any agreement with the Yemeni government about restarting exports from terminals in Hadramout and Shabwa.
Since late 2022, Houthi drone attacks on oil terminals had significantly disrupted oil shipments, depriving the Yemeni government of crucial revenue.
Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council,said that the government had lost 70% of its revenue due to these attacks, affecting its ability to pay salaries and provide essential services. The Houthis also stopped purchasing gas from government-controlled Marib to weaken the presidential council.
In a separate development, the US Central Command reported that its troops had destroyed a drone in Houthi-held territory. International marine agencies have noted a recent lull in Houthi strikes on ships, indicating a temporary pause in their anti-ship campaign.
Since November, the Houthis have launched numerous attacks on international shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean, claiming these actions are meant to pressure Israel to end its Gaza operations.
Source: wenewsenglish.pk
Comments