Iran-backed Houthis spend YR2 trillion annually to finance their war: Document

A leaked document issued by the government of the Iran-backed Houthis showed that the group spent YR2.1 trillion annually to finance the war against the Yemeni people, while employees receive half a basic salary every half year and Yemenis are deprived of public services, especially health, education services, water and roads.

According to the document, the revenues that the militia receive from oil, gas, black markets, tax and customs authorities, communications revenues, Zakat, and the government’s share of the surplus profits, spent during the period (January-June) about YR883.5 billion, on assembling ballistic missiles, planes, drones, booby-traps and mines they got from Iran. In addition to enriching Houthi leaders and their families with bank accounts, establishing private companies, and buying land and real estate from those funds.

Those revenues, which have been deprived of thousands of employees and retirees since 2016, include oil and gas revenues, customs and taxes, telecommunications, Zakat, the government’s share of surplus profits and other self-revenues.

According to the document, the bulk of spending (40.5%) goes to "defense, security and the judiciary", which are the sectors through which the militia control the governorates they control. The share of public services 36.9%, then education (14.2%) and health (3.5). %), social protection (2.9%) wwhile the rest of the sectors (2%).