Taiz military leadership warns against Houthi recruitment efforts

The leadership of the 35th Armored Brigade in Taiz has issued a warning regarding movements by Houthi militias in several districts of the Taiz governorate. According to a statement released on Tuesday, the militia is reportedly attempting to collect data on officers and personnel from the armed forces and security services to facilitate their recruitment into Houthi ranks.

The brigade leadership stated that these efforts involve pressuring local tribal leaders, sheikhs, and social figures to gather personal information. They warned that the militia is exploiting difficult living conditions to draw military personnel into confrontations against their own communities. The brigade urged military members to refuse these summons and called on local leaders to protect the youth from being mobilized for Houthi interests.

In a separate development, political elites and activists in Taiz have leveled accusations against Islah Party militants. These critics allege that the group is using residential neighborhoods as human shields to cover military losses and is exploiting the humanitarian situation. Specific allegations include the seizure of essential goods, such as domestic gas, for sale on the black market, and the intentional accumulation of waste in streets to solicit international aid.