The Houthis have intensified their repressive actions, particularly targeting those who celebrate the downfall of the Syrian regime, amid fears of a similar uprising in Yemen.
The group has been reportedly conducting widespread campaigns to indoctrinate the population and recruit new members. These campaigns have targeted public and private sector employees, as well as parents of students, forcing them to participate in activities aimed at bolstering the group's support. Additionally, tribal leaders have been coerced into providing fighters for the Houthi frontlines.
In recent days, the Houthis have abducted activists and young people in several of their controlled provinces for celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Human rights organizations have documented these abductions, with at least 17 people being detained in Sana'a alone and transferred to secret prisons. Similar incidents have been reported in Ibb and Taiz.
A Yemeni human rights network condemned these abductions, attributing them to the Houthis' fear of a similar uprising in Yemen. The network called on the international community to condemn these practices and to pressure the Houthis to release all detainees.