Local Official in Rada’a Calls for Uprising Against Houthi Governance

Saleem Al-Shana’i, a neighborhood leader in the city of Rada’a, Al-Bayda Governorate, has issued a public condemnation of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, accusing the militia’s leadership of systemic corruption, deceit, and oppression.

In a video circulated on the social media platform Facebook, Al-Shana’i, who serves as the head of the Al-Salam neighborhood, urged Yemeni citizens to mobilize against the deteriorating living conditions under Houthi control. He explicitly called for a "hunger revolution" to address the severe economic crisis and the widespread poverty currently affecting the population.

Al-Shana’i highlighted the plight of vulnerable groups, specifically citing women forced by extreme circumstances to scavenge for food in refuse bins, as well as teachers who have been denied their salaries for extended periods. He criticized the Houthi leadership for governing from behind television screens, asserting that the movement employs misinformation to mask the suffering of the Yemeni people.

The neighborhood official held the Houthi militia directly accountable for the nation's economic collapse and the deepening humanitarian crisis. Despite the potential risks to his safety, Al-Shana’i expressed his resolve to continue exposing the group's practices, challenging the militia by stating he would remain steadfast in his opposition regardless of the threats he faces.