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LONDON: The inmates of the central prison in Hodeidah, Yemen, have refused to yield to Houthi demands to fight in their ranks, prompting the militia to torture inmates, set fire to prison wards, and shoot inmates with live bullets, according to reports.
At least three inmates have died as a result of Houthi torture and 20 others have been injured, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
There has also been a reported rise in Houthi violations of citizen’s rights in the areas that they control, including the looting of bank funds, and imposing restrictions on commercial companies.
Houthi militias have also tried to sell large properties belonging to the General People’s Congress party in Hodeidah and Taiz.
Relatives of prisoners told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthi militia decided to transfer hundreds of central prison inmates to unknown locations on Friday morning and that it is very likely that they were taken to training camps in order to force them to fight in Houthi ranks.
Houthi militias called hundreds of its gunmen to the prison in order to force inmates to fight for them and randomly opened fire when the prisoners refused to leave. Gas bombs were also used to force inmates to surrender.
Houthi militia have lately resorted to recruiting the inmates of prisons in Sanaa, Ibb, Dhamar, Hajjah, Al-Mahwit because they need more fighters. Children, teenagers, civilian employees, and residents of homes for orphans have also been recruited.
The central prison in Hodeidah, which is situated in the south of the city, holds more than 700 prisoners. They fear that they will be used as human shields if they continue to refuse to fight for the Houthis.