Houthis Mislead their Followers with False Victories
Friday, 1 June, 2018 - 06:30
Sanaa – Asharq Al-Awsat
The increasing state of panic experienced by the Houthi militia leadership in Yemen forced it to impose an undeclared state of emergency in the Sanaa, Ibb, Dhamar and al-Hodeidah provinces.
It also resorted to circulating false information in the media, claiming that the Iran-backed militias are striking victories on the battleground.
In Sanaa, Ibb, Dhamar and al-Hodeidah provinces, the group kicked off a campaign of arrests against its opponents that stems from its fear of a popular uprising taking place against it while it is suffering defeats on the West coast and in Saada.
The collapses among the Houthi ranks coincide with the legitimate forces’ advance on Hodiedah. Backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, the forces are fast marching on the southern edge of the city. They have also made advances on the Tahita, Zabid, Jarahi, Beit al-Faqih and Durayhimi regions.
In the regions still under their control, the Houthis have intensified their security measures by checking the identification cards of pedestrians, searching vehicles and increasing checkpoints on main roads, in a bid to decrease the chances of a popular uprising.
They have also detained a number of opponents. Legal and partisan sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis’ oppressive practices have targeted dozens of people throughout the week, including leaders of the General People's Congress and military figures, on charges of conspiracy with the legitimate forces.
Houthi media has sought to spotlight the arrests, while also fabricating a claim about the arrest of a four-member cell in Durayhimi that was “collaborating with the legitimate forces.”
The Houthi version of the Saba news agency reported that the cell managed to recruit 20 people and tasked them with monitoring the movements of the militias and their leaders.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Houthi-controled General People's Congress in Sanaa had recently informed the militias of their suspension of their partnership with them in the coup government over their marginalization.
This prompted threats of retribution from the Houthis.
On the ground, the legitimate forces’ advance on Hodeidah prompted the Houthis to push for the deployment of prisoners and children on the West coast.
A number of professors from Sanaa University told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthi-appointed director of the university has been pressuring them to head to battleground to fight for the militias.
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