Houthis Impose More Taxes on Teachers

A teacher forced to sell fruits because of salary cuts (Yemeni Teachers Club)
A teacher forced to sell fruits because of salary cuts (Yemeni Teachers Club)
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Houthis Impose More Taxes on Teachers

A teacher forced to sell fruits because of salary cuts (Yemeni Teachers Club)
A teacher forced to sell fruits because of salary cuts (Yemeni Teachers Club)

The Houthis faced the demands of teachers to pay their salaries by imposing additional taxes on electricity and mobile phones for the so-called "Teachers' Support Fund."

The Houthis aim to cover the deficit in the Fund and disburse simple incentives to teachers after the revenues were directed to finance sectarian schools.

The Finance Minister in the unrecognized Houthi government imposed two Yemeni riyals on each kilowatt of consumed electricity for the Teachers' Support Fund, which is supervised by Yahya al-Houthi, the leader's brother.

Another document, issued by the Minister of Communications in the coup government, showed a tax of YR1 imposed on mobile phones; there are over seven million subscribers.

Sources in the education sector told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis spent the revenues on the Fund on private sectarian education schools known as the "Schools of the Martyred Leader."

They indicated that the group imposed new taxes to cover the deficit and contain the teachers' protests by disbursing a monthly bonus of $50 instead of salaries.

The Teachers Club categorically rejected any Houthi efforts to circumvent their demands to pay the teachers' salaries monthly, similar to senior Houthi officials, unrecognized government members, the so-called "House of Representatives and Shura Council," and other leaders.

They confirmed that proceeds from the Teachers' Support Fund are incentives due to teachers but not a substitute for their salaries.

- Spending on sectarian education

Despite the persecution, arrests, and threats against teachers, the club adhered to its position and appealed to the free people of the world and activists to support them in their cause and pressure Houthis to pay their salaries that have been cut for seven years.

Saleh Abdullah, a teacher, said that never in history has an authority established private schools for its followers and provided them with accommodation, food, and an educational system while leaving the people ravaged by ignorance, poverty, and disease.

He indicated that public schools are without books, all the teachers are without salaries, and most people are hungry and exhausted.

Yahya Nasser, a teacher participating in the strike, asserted that the lavish spending in these schools blows up all the Houthis' lies about the lack of funds to pay teachers' salaries and provide textbooks.

Nasser explained that these schools grant enrollees free housing and food for three years, books and curricula, education halls equipped with the latest teaching aids, and sports stadiums.

In turn, the Yemeni Teachers Syndicate announced its support for the teachers' protest in Houthi-controlled areas to achieve their legal and humanitarian rights.

It called on all educational unions to unite their ranks and demand their rights.

The Syndicate expressed its surprise over the Houthi leader's silence regarding the grievances of male and female teachers and most workers in various sectors and the suspension of their salaries.

It stated that billions of Yemeni riyals are being collected for the Teacher's Fund.

The Syndicate asserted its continued fight for teachers' rights and lifted the United Nations to pressure the Houthis to disburse salaries quickly.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.