Armed Groups in Taiz Setting Up Illegal Checkpoints to Extort Money
A recent document has exposed armed groups associated with the Saudi-led coalition forces in Taiz for setting up new extortion checkpoints near Al-Qasr roundabout in the city center. These groups, operating in areas controlled by the coalition, are forcefully demanding money from vehicle drivers passing by.
Reports from the Transport Office of the pro-coalition government in Taiz highlight that these armed individuals are imposing levies and taxes on vehicles traveling from villages to locations outside the city, specifically targeting the Hawdh Al-A’shraf area. Drivers have complained of being coerced into paying sums of 5,000 Yemeni riyals, with those refusing facing threats and disruptions in their journey.
The Transport Office has urged authorities to take immediate action against these illegal activities, which had previously subsided but resurfaced recently. Residents of Taiz have expressed concern over the reappearance of these checkpoints and call for swift intervention to protect civilians.
@E.Y.M