Houthi rebels are kidnapping and detaining women in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa in order to secure ransom payments from their families, residents and activists have said.
The violations are the latest in a series of atrocities committed by the rebel group, including detaining journalists, torturing captives, stealing humanitarian aid and training child soldiers.
It underscores the extent to which Houthis have violated humanitarian law and continue to benefit from a war economy that is filling up their coffers at the cost of those residing in areas under their control.
Huda Al Sarari, a member of an association set up by the mothers of those kidnapped by rebels, told The National that there are "dozens" of women who have been kidnapped by Houthis. She says that activists are monitoring the cases of these female detainees and are trying to publicise violations against them on social media networks.
The latest accusations were first raised by the Yemen Organisation for Combating Human Trafficking last week. The head of the Sanaa-based anti-trafficking group told The Associated Press that women are being captured by Houthi rebels on charges of prostitution and collaborating with the Arab coalition. He cited reports from families, former female detainees, and other sources.
The group said that Houthis are carrying out violations such as "abuse, torture, and forced disappearances of women and girls in secret and illegal prisons."
The head of the anti-trafficking group Nabil Fadel said that such violations against women and girls started after Houthis launched a crackdown on alleged prostitution rings.
Women who had been rounded up in the crackdown and subsequently granted release were sent to secret detentions in villas across the Yemeni capital, instead of being set free, according to The Associated Press.
A Sanaa-based activist who heads a local anti-corruption organisation said that these women are not put on trial and many are being detained arbitrarily. The activist who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Houthis are detaining these women to request large sums of money from their families in return of their release.
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Read more:
UN experts urge stricter checks on arms smuggling into Yemen
UN expands Hodeidah ceasefire monitoring mission
Senior Houthi official defects and flees to Aden
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He said only some the women detained by Houthis are actually prostitutes. He also said that it remains unclear exactly how many women are currently being detained because their families are reluctant to speak on the issue.
Fares Saeed, a Yemeni journalist, told The National that he was contacted by a female student at Sanaa University who claims that she was forcibly kidnapped by Houthi gunmen along with one of her friends in November last year.
The girl, Saeed said, was held in a detention facility where she was beaten and threatened with rape, on the charge that she incited protests against rebels. She was released ten days later after her father agreed to pay a ransom fee and vowed to not speak of his daughter’s detention.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
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Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
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Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
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Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Business Insights
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Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
