Systematic Intimidation: Houthis Continue Abducting Civilians and Employees in Ibb
Yemen Monitor/Ibb/Exclusive:
The Houthi group is continuing a widespread campaign of abductions targeting civilians and government employees in Ibb governorate, central Yemen. This comes amidst a dangerous escalation of violations in the governorate, which has been under their control since 2014.
Local sources reported that the city has become completely vulnerable, with kidnappings being carried out from workplaces, homes, and streets without any deterrent, as judicial and security bodies affiliated with the group remain silent.
Sources clarified that the armed group has continued its abduction campaign against several prominent figures, including Hamood Abdullah Al-Muqbili, Director of Employee Affairs at the University of Science and Technology; Nashwan Al-Haj, an employee at Saba Bank; and Dr. Mohammed Al-Shareh.
In recent days, the group abducted Dr. Mohammed Qaid Aqlan, director of Dar Al-Quran Al-Kareem in the Al-Yahari area. His abduction came just one day after the killing of Sheikh Saleh Hantoush, director of Dar Al-Quran Al-Kareem in Al-Salafia district in Raymah governorate, a crime that sparked widespread outrage.
Local sources also reported that Houthi militants abducted educator Ali Al-Dhaib from Al-Masha’aba village in Ibb rural district, cutting off all communication with him and preventing visits or inquiries about his whereabouts. In the same context, teacher Ahmed Al-Dumini, also from the same district, was abducted.
Sources stated that the Houthi abduction campaign over the past two weeks has targeted many professionals in the education and health sectors. Prominent among them are: Dr. Ahmed Yassin (cardiologist), Dr. Sadeq Al-Yousefi, Dr. Thaer Al-Du’ais, Dr. Nabil Al-Yafrasi, in addition to Faisal Abdullah Al-Shuwei, Mohammed Taher, and Talal Salam, all from Al-Udayn district, west of Ibb.
Human rights and media sources indicate that the pace of Houthi abduction campaigns in Ibb governorate has significantly escalated since late May, reaching its peak in the last two weeks. This is happening amidst complete disregard by the group’s authorities for any popular or human rights demands to stop these violations.
The “Rasd” human rights organization documented over 2,200 violations and crimes committed by the Houthi group in Ibb during the past year alone. These included abductions, torture, looting of property, and repeated assaults on public freedoms and human rights.
