Systematic destruction of the private sector.. The government denounces the new Houthi levies on clothing and fabric traders

The Yemeni government denounced the new arbitrary levies recently imposed by the terrorist Houthi militia on ready-made clothing and fabric merchants, and considered them a systematic destruction of the private sector and the national economy.

Minister of Information Muammar Al-Eryani said, "The Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia's decision to raise taxes and customs by 100% on ready-made clothing and fabric merchants in areas under its control, which led to a general strike in the markets, is part of a series of blackmail and ongoing restrictions on businessmen, its destructive practices against the private sector, and its systematic targeting of the national economy since the coup."

He added in a statement on the X platform, "This step confirms the Houthi terrorist militia's continuation in implementing its plan to destroy the private sector and eliminate well-known commercial houses in the areas under its control by force, in favor of companies and investors affiliated with it, with the aim of completely controlling the commercial sector and controlling the national economy, without regard to the difficult economic and humanitarian conditions."

Al-Eryani pointed out that since the coup, the private sector has been subjected to continuous extortion and restrictions through the closure and confiscation of hundreds of companies, factories and commercial establishments, the imposition of arbitrary and illegal levies, fees and fines, the detention of goods at ports, their disposal and sale, and the imposition of price lists, which led to the bankruptcy of a number of companies and traders, the exodus of national capital outside the country, and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

The Yemeni minister called on the international community and the United Nations not to stand idly by while the Houthi militia systematically targets commercial houses and capitals that have endured and continued their commercial activity despite the difficult circumstances, which threatens to collapse the economic situation and exacerbate human suffering, and to immediately begin classifying it as a "global terrorist organization", prosecute and hold its leaders accountable and ensure that they do not escape punishment.

● The Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia’s decision to raise taxes and customs by 100% on ready-made clothing and fabric merchants in areas under its control, which led to a comprehensive strike in the markets, is part of a series of extortion and ongoing restrictions on businessmen and their destructive practices in the sector… pic.twitter.com/dPrd84cpM7

— Muammar Al-Eryani (@ERYANIM) September 13, 2024

The Houthi militia had raised customs duties on ready-made clothes and fabrics entering through its customs ports by more than 100%, which was met with rejection by merchants who announced a comprehensive strike in the most important and largest markets in Sana'a, and threatened to escalate their protests.