5 Houthis engage in acts of intimidation and threats against humanitarian actors
English - Saturday 13 February 2021 الساعة 08:45 am
Sanaa, NewsYemen, Exclusive:
The UN Panel of Experts confirmed that it has investigated the cases of six people - two men and four women - working for humanitarian organizations who were arrested and detained by the Houthis in Taiz, Al-Bayda, Sanaa, and Hajjah.
The report stated that from the end of 2019 to mid-2020, the team documented the deterioration of relations between the Houthis, UN agencies and humanitarian actors.
This included increased threats, intimidation, restrictions on movement and violence against humanitarian workers.
The UN Panel of Experts said that it has documented acts of intimidation and direct threats against humanitarian actors by five members of the Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, namely: Ahmed Hamed, Abdul Mohsen Al-Tawoos (Secretary-General), Taha Al-Mutawakel (Minister of Public Health and Population), and Nabil Al-Wazir. (Minister of Water and Environment) and Abdul Karim Al-Houthi (Minister of Interior).
Ahmed Hamed (Abu Mahfouz) is currently the director of the office of the so-called head of the Supreme Political Council and head of the Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and has links to Preventive Security and the Bureau of Security and Intelligence.
The team confirmed that it had received information on the influence of Ahmed Hamed (Abu Mahfouz) on civilian appointments, intimidation of opponents, and corruption activities, including diverting humanitarian aid and providing support to Sultan Zaben, who is involved in the oppression of women.
In January, the Minister of Education and Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi's brother, Yahya Al-Houthi, entered into a direct conflict with Hamed, accusing him of stirring up tensions with humanitarian actors through the Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Despite this, Ahmed Hamed consolidated his authority.
