Houthis impose tax on Yemeni civilians

Houthis are forcing Yemenis to pay 500 riyals ($2) in an effort to raise much needed funds after the Yemen Central Bank was moved to Aden by the international backed Yemeni government.

The average salary in Yemen is 20,000 riyals per month ($80). It is unknown how often the new tax will be payable.

Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that there are cases of tribal leaders and sheikhs pressurising their followers to pay the “tax”.

The officials and sheikhs have also been forcing children to fight for the Houthi militias. Any family which refuses to allow its children to take up arms is forced to pay a further penalty, sources said.

A third of fighters in Yemen are children with 72 per cent fighting for pro Houthi and Saleh militias.