Local Yemeni sources in Ibb Governorate (south of Sanaa) have reported increased competition between Houthi militia leaders when it comes to the robbery of state lands and properties through armed gangs.

At the beginning of 2019, Houthi militias, according to sources, expanded their systematic campaign to seize remaining private and public real-estate properties in the governorate of Ibb and the rest of its districts.

Houthis’ looting has affected hundreds of land plots. Mountains, cemeteries, and public parks were not spared.

Most recently, Houthi militias seized a land plot that was allotted for a future zoo project.

Sources spoke of Houthis selling lands they seized to investors that are closely affiliated with the Iran-backed militia. The seizures were authorized by the Houthi-appointed governor of Ibb, Abdulwahad Salah.

Houthis have forced Salah to accept their taking of the land in exchange for remaining governor. This came after rumors spread of the group working to force Salah’s resignation.

Sources from Ibb with knowledge of the matter confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi leaders based in Saada, Amran, and Dhamar have looted vast lands in the “Mahmoul” mountain. The appropriated land is worth billions of Yemeni rials.

The Houthi mouthpiece, Saba News Agency, said that the lands in Mahmoul would be handed over to the Houthi-styled economic institution in Hajjah for investments in the tourism sector.

But locals decried the news as mere propaganda and that Houthis were going to use the land they looted for their war effort and sectarian agenda.

In the same context, local civilian reports in Ibb documented hundreds of crimes of looting, robbery, and tampering by the Houthis.

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Houthi insurgents overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa. Since then, tens of thousands of Yemenis, including numerous civilians, are believed to have been killed in the conflict, while another 14 million are at risk of starvation, according to the UN.