Houthis' fearful record in Ibb surfaces

The brutality of the Iran-backed Houthi militia is now most manifested in the southern Yemeni province of Ibb.

The province was known for long by the name 'Green Brigade'. It is famous for its landscapes, fresh vegetables and ancient history.

However, the Houthi militia has turned the province into a ghost town, given the enormity of the crimes its members commit in it.

The Houthis are also systematically destroying the ancient landmarks of the city.

The militia took control of the province in mid-November 2014, under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Since then, it has been committing dastardly crimes and human rights violations in it.

According to the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms, Ibb was the scene of approximately 3,419 brutal crimes last year.

During the past year, the network said, the militia committed 213 killings of children, women and senior people.

Brutal attacks by the Houthis also left 189 people injured, including nine children, eight women and eight senior people, the network said.

It added that the Houthis also tortured 121 other people, including 26 children, 21 women and 18 senior people.

The network also documented 13 assassinations in the province in the course of last year.

It said the Houthi militia had executed and liquidated nine political leaders and tribesmen, as part of its efforts to clear the way of rivals.

Nine civilians also died of torture in the province at the hands of Houthi militiamen, after being incarcerated, the network said.

It noted that around 482 people, including children and women, were placed by the Houthi militia in secret prisons, after they were kidnapped from their homes and the streets of the province.

About 65 civilians were also subjected to horrific torture in these prisons, the network said.