Local Official in Al-Bayda Calls for Uprising Against Houthi Governance

Saleem Al-Shana’i, a neighborhood leader in Rada’a, Al-Bayda Governorate, has issued a public condemnation of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, accusing his administration of systemic corruption, injustice, and pervasive dishonesty.

In a video circulated on social media, Al-Shana’i, who serves as the representative for Al-Salam neighborhood, urged the Yemeni public to organize a “hunger revolution” in response to the country’s catastrophic economic decline. He argued that such an uprising is necessary to address the plight of citizens, specifically highlighting the struggles of educators denied their salaries and the increasingly desperate conditions forcing women to scavenge for food in refuse containers.

Al-Shana’i directed sharp criticism at the Houthi leadership, alleging that the movement’s hierarchy operates through deception and manipulation while shielded from the reality of the humanitarian crisis. He explicitly held the Houthi militia accountable for the systematic collapse of the local economy and the deepening suffering of the population.

Despite the risks associated with his dissent, the neighborhood official affirmed his intent to continue exposing the group’s practices. Defying potential repercussions, Al-Shana’i declared his resolve to remain vocal, signaling a significant instance of internal resistance against Houthi authority within the region.