[13/09/2024 07:44]

ADEN - SABA
Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar al-Eryani has said that the Houthi terrorist militias, affiliated with Iran, have raised taxes and customs duties by 100% on ready-made clothing and textile traders in areas under their forceful control.

This has led to a complete strike in the markets and falls within the ongoing series of extortion and pressure on businessmen, as well as their destructive practices against the private sector and their systematic targeting of the national economy since the coup.

Al-Eryani added in a press statement to Saba on Friday that this step confirms the Houthi militia's commitment to implementing its plan to dismantle the private sector and eliminate well-known commercial houses in the areas under their control, favoring companies and investors loyal to them.

This aims to achieve total control over the commercial sector and manipulate the national economy, with complete disregard for the difficult economic and humanitarian conditions.

He pointed out that the private sector has faced continuous extortion and pressure since the coup, including the closure and confiscation of hundreds of companies, factories, and commercial establishments, as well as the imposition of arbitrary and illegal levies, fees, and fines.

The militias have also seized goods at ports, disposed of them, and sold them, imposing price lists, which has led to the bankruptcy of several companies and traders, the flight of national capital abroad, and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

Al-Eryani called on the international community and the United Nations not to stand idly by in the face of the systematic targeting of commercial houses and capital that have endured and continued their business activities despite the challenging conditions.

He urged immediate action to classify the Houthis as a "global terrorist organization," pursue and hold their leaders accountable, and ensure that they do not escape punishment.

---