Dubai: In the midst of a devastated economy, the Al Houthis have begun setting up black markets around Al Sana’a selling everything from food to oil derivatives at exorbitant prices, exploiting the dire situation of the population.
According to a report in Al Ittihad newspaper, it is among the militia’s objectives to control the supply of foodstuffs and other provisions as they attempt to maintain their hold on Sana’a, which they occupied last September.
A reporter for Al Ittihad said that traders and key suppliers of goods were coerced into complying with the Al Houthis’ demands. “They had been given an ultimatum to either submit to their wishes or leave the country,” he writes. “Tt was through such strong-arm tactics that Al Houthis were able to control the market in Sana’a and the basic needs of its citizens.”
Citing recent research from the Centre of Economic Studies in Sana’a, the reporter said the difficult humanitarian and economic situation in Yemen has been exacerbated in light of the continuing increase in prices of essential items and a serious shortage of petroleum products. “The number of those living in poverty has increased by as much as 81 per cent,” according to the report.
The report, which covers Sana’a as well as other Yemeni cities held by Al Houthi rebels, depicts an average price increase of almost 16 per cent for essential items when compared to last month. It also highlighted a decrease in prices in cities liberated from rebel control, specifically Aden and Marib, by up to 23.87 per cent.
“The black market in Sana’a is a weapon Al Houthis are using against the Sana’a populace,” the reporter said, “In spite of an abundance of domestic gas and oil, the Al Houthi black market is selling these products at a price exceeding the original by as much as 300 per cent. People in Sana’a have resorted to using wood as an alternative to domestic gas.”
Other cities under Al Houthi control, such as Hodeida, are suffering from a similar crisis, the paper revealed. “Citizens have been forced to fight for oil derivatives,” it said. “According to a report by the centre highlighting the spike in prices, domestic gas and petrol prices have been repetitively doubling until they’ve reached ridiculous levels. Petrol is being sold for more than 300 per cent of the official price, same goes for diesel. A litre of petrol sells for a thousand Yemeni riyals. Prices for domestic gas are now 360 per cent more than officially dictated,” the report added.
According to Al Ittihad, Al Houthi rebels have worked to expand the black markets in Sana’a as the large returns help fund their cause. The militia groups have also been actively pilfering supplies from government stores designated to supply utilities and selling the same in the black market.
