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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Sanaa - Asharq Al-Awsat

Houthi Militias Impose Sectarian Ramadan Evenings to Mobilize Recruits

Yemenis shop at a market ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, June 17, 2015 (Photo: AP)

The Houthi militia intensified movements in Sanaa and other regions ruled by it to mobilize more people, following its defeats in various battlefronts.

In this context, some people reported to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis sent local supervisors to hold sectarian Ramadan evenings and mobilize the greatest number of citizens to come and listen to the Houthi program.

Sources revealed that the militia members stressed the necessity of a greater mobilization and threatened those who reject with punishment and arrest.

During Ramadan evenings, held after the Isha prayer, there is a lengthy lecture by the Houthi supervisor in addition to recordings of the group leader.

The sources affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the supervisors of the group requested from the attendees to mobilize the greatest number of recruits during month of Ramadan, since this is a religious duty that is more important than prayer and fasting, they claimed.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the Houthi members arrested a number of activists who rejected to attend the sectarian evening and put them in secret prisons. Despite strict orders by Houthis for people to attend the evenings, the attendance turnout was quite low.

Rights sources revealed that Houthi militias stormed a students’ place in Thamar and arrested five students who are originally from Taiz province. The students were drove to one of the secret detention camps for charges of provoking people against the militia.

Amid mounting concerns from possible sneaking of people against the Houthi militia to regions ruled by the them, tough restrictions were made on arrivals to Sanaa and other cities ruled by the Houthis.

In the same context, employees in Sanaa reported that the Houthi militias took a decision to ban any employee who attempts to go to Aden to get his salary from the legit government.

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