Houthis Exploit Coronavirus Fears to Mobilize Recruitment

Worker at a masks weaving workshop in Sanaa (EPA)

Despite Houthis suspending schools and universities in fear of the spread of the new coronavirus, the group’s leaders have gone on to organize dozens of public gatherings to commemorate the anniversary of the group’s slain founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi.

More so, Houthis have exploited the virus to boost recruitment under the pretext that joining the group’s ranks is the only way not to contract the disease, local sources in Sanaa confirmed.

Sources accused Houthi militia of exploiting every pandemic or viral epidemic. This takes place through various means whereby the Iran-backed group benefits.

It will either use the virus to mobilize its battlefronts or reap millions of riyals through extortion and looting campaigns against Yemenis.

Local sources, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, confirmed that coup militias are carrying out extensive recruitment campaigns among young people in Sanaa, under the pretext of saving them from getting infected by the new coronavirus.

Houthi recruitment campaigns target school and university students, government and private sector employees, and other groups and segments of society.

Residents in Sanaa and other Houthi-held areas live in a state of great fear and anxiety caused by the rapid spread of the virus both regionally and internationally.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a number of Sanaa residents expressed their fear of the dangerous pandemic reaching their areas, as they had gone through bitter experiences and harsh conditions under the grip and rule of the Houthi militias.

Houthis, according to locals, do not care about the health and life of Yemenis. Instead, they devote large efforts to blackmail locals and plunder their savings.

Local observers described measures taken by Houthis to allegedly protect Yemenis against the Coronavirus as “formal,” but with no real effect.

Observers said militias are currently trying to project an image that they are keen on preserving the health and lives of Yemenis in their areas of control, but it is they who kill Yemenis and deprive them of relief aid, blow up their homes, and plunder state property.