Dubai: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said that Houthi rebels in Yemen are looting up to $5 billion (Dh18.4bn) from the state to support their terrorist militias.
“The Houthi, with his grip on power in Sanaa, is holding on to control of the country’s income, which is estimated at between $3.5bn and $5bn a year, money that is spent on his supporters only and on supporting terrorist militias,” said Dr Gargash on Twitter.
“Studies show that despite the war, the importation of vehicles into Houthi-controlled areas and the building of residences for their supporters are witnessing a major boom, no doubt from finances from the looted state treasury.”
Dr Gargash said the “the manifestations of major looting” will soon become clear as the “cover” has been lifted, in reference to Houthis’ former alliance with forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. He was killed by the Iran-backed rebels earlier this month and his party members in the General People’s Congress part are being targeted.
“With the ongoing liquidation of the General People’s Congress and its members in regions controlled by the Houthis, the manifestations of major looting from the state will become clear, and the cover of the previous partnership has been lifted, and the cost of the terrorist militia coup will be revealed,” Dr Gargash said.
On Friday, the United Nations special envoy to Yemen said that the Houthis’ behaviour is unacceptable, adding that he had met with Dr Gargash and other UAE officials to discuss the situation.
“What is happening in Sanaa is unacceptable and against humanitarian international law. We need to put an end to the targeting of GPC [General People’s Congress] leaders, activists and their families,” said Dr Ismail Ahmed on Twitter.
He said that he held “productive and constructive” meetings with UAE officials, with whom he discussed “the best way to advance a political solution”.
A Saudi-led coalition, which includes the UAE, is fighting in Yemen on behalf of the internationally-recognised government against the Houthi forces, which control Sanaa and much of the impoverished country. Three years of war have killed more than 10,000 people and taken the country to the brink of famine.
