Distressed Yemeni residents in Sanaa have urgently appealed for an end to the Houthi militia's aggressive campaign of demolishing and confiscating dozens of houses and properties in recent days. The ongoing demolition and land seizure are part of the militia's strategy to assert full control over vast territories in areas including Arrah and Darwan, as well as other areas in the Hamadan district, the second-largest district in the northwestern outskirts of Sanaa.
Locals told Asharq Al-Awsat that they have been suffering for years from the oppression and brutality of the group and its leaders and their attempt in various ways to rob lands and properties by force.
Through its Public Works Office in the Hamadan district, the Houthi group continued its campaign to destroy dozens of houses and lands, under the pretext of removing encroachments and violations.
Human rights sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group brought five bulldozers, dozens of security personnel, and gunmen in the first two days of its campaign to demolish 170 houses.
The sources pointed out that dozens of citizens in those areas complained about the continued militia attacks against their lands and properties.
The insurgents justified targeting citizens' property on the outskirts of Sanaa by preserving public areas and removing illegal constructions.
The sources confirmed that this comes from the group's plan to illegally acquire the remaining land areas in Hamadan, intending to establish a training camp.
One resident, who declined to be named but works as a driver for a private company in Sanaa, said that he has been struggling to build his house for seven years, but the group robbed him of that joy.
He said his house was almost complete, and his family was preparing to move in.
It is not the first time that the group has launched a campaign targeting the houses and lands of citizens.
A few months ago, the Houthis launched a series of similar campaigns through the Public Works Office in Hamadan, destroying and confiscating more than 17 fences surrounding locals' lands and about seven houses.
