The Houthis are preempting Ramadan with mobilization and recruitment: details of the new escalation

With the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, local sources and field reports in Yemen have revealed that the Houthi group has launched extensive mobilization and recruitment campaigns in areas under its control. These moves are part of an annual strategy employed by the group to exploit the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan to bolster its ranks with fighters and collect financial donations under various pretexts, raising widespread concerns among the public and human rights groups about the continuation of the conflict and the worsening of the humanitarian crisis.

Exploiting religious occasions for military mobilization

Since seizing control of the capital, Sana'a, and the northern Yemeni provinces, the Houthi group has consistently transformed religious occasions, particularly the month of Ramadan, into periods of forced recruitment and ideological indoctrination. Reports indicate that the group has issued directives to supervisors in neighborhoods and villages, as well as to mosque imams and preachers, mandating an intensification of lectures and lessons that encourage "jihad" and joining the front lines. Particular emphasis is placed on youth and adolescents, with intensive cultural courses designed to instill the group's militant ideology in their minds, exploiting the heightened religious fervor during this month.

General context and impact of ongoing conflict

These moves come at a time when Yemen is suffering one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, according to UN classifications. After years of continuous war, the infrastructure and economy have deteriorated to an unprecedented degree, leaving a large segment of the Yemeni population living below the poverty line. In this context, observers believe that the Houthis' mobilization at this time reflects a desire to preempt any upcoming political or military developments, and an attempt to compensate for manpower shortages in their ranks resulting from ongoing battles on various fronts such as Marib, Taiz, and Al-Dhale'a.

Economic and social repercussions

The Houthis' Ramadan campaigns are not limited to recruitment; they extend to the financial and economic spheres. The group imposes additional levies on merchants and citizens under the guise of "supporting the mujahideen" or Zakat al-Fitr, which is centrally collected for the war effort. This financial pressure exacerbates the suffering of Yemeni families who are entering the month of fasting amidst skyrocketing prices and unpaid salaries, transforming what should be a season of mercy and solidarity into one of added burdens and the fear of losing their sons on the front lines.

The international situation and the future of peace

At the international and regional levels, these actions pose an obstacle to UN and international efforts to establish peace in Yemen. While the UN envoy and regional mediators strive to solidify ceasefires and reach a comprehensive political settlement, the escalation in recruitment is interpreted as a negative message confirming the continued reliance on the military option. Experts warn that the militarization of society and the indoctrination of young minds with a culture of violence will create time bombs that threaten the stability of Yemen and the region for decades to come, necessitating genuine international pressure to stop the exploitation of civilians and children in the throes of war.