The pro-Iranian Houthi group admitted on Saturday that it had launched a wave of arrests against individuals loyal to late President Ali Abdullah Saleh in each of Sanaa, Hajjah, Amran, Mahwit, Dhamar, al-Bayda, Taiz and Ibb governorates. The arrests targeted pro-Saleh soldiers, security personnel and civilians.
The statements came in a press conference held by the coup-run interior ministry in Sanaa, during which the group claimed that the arrestees have established cells to spy on Houthi leaders.
The militias said dozens of those abducted from their homes and workplaces were carrying out operations to serve the legitimate government interest against Houthis.
This accusation is mainly used by the militias to take revenge against those who oppose it or refuse to engage in its coup project.
Tribal sources have earlier told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group had detained more than 40 officers in its interior ministry and security apparatuses over the past few weeks.
They said the militias arrested a number of tribal leaders in Sanaa, Dhamar and Amran, in addition to civilian activists.
This comes in line with the Houthis ongoing violations against citizens living in areas under their control, the sources stressed.
