The Houthi militia on Thursday closed one of Sanaa's main streets, allocating it for exhibitions of pictures of tens of thousands of their deceased on the occasion of the so-called "Martyr's Week," according to residents.
Houthi-affiliated media announced the opening of more than 50 exhibitions, displaying pictures of thousands of dead young men and children who joined the group's ranks during the past years.
Residents of Sanaa complained that the group continued to close streets and roads within their residential areas and set up tents for the exhibitions.
They told Asharq Al-Awsat that they reject all sectarian manifestations the group establishes in the streets and neighborhoods and tries to force them to join.
Nader, who works in a restaurant, said that the Houthi militia is trying to force citizens into visiting the cemeteries and photo exhibitions to make them follow their path.
The group closed four streets in the Maeen district, including a main road in the Aser area and parts of Sixtieth Street, the largest in the capital.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group is preparing to close new streets and roads in Sanaa.
A resident of the Shumaila neighborhood told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group plans to shut down primary and secondary roads to open four new photo exhibitions of the deceased.
Despite the tremendous pressure and the amount of money spent by the group to make its event a success, there is a "societal reluctance" to participate in the events, he said.
He explained that the militia was supposed to find other places, such as public squares, to set up tents and hold photo exhibitions of their dead instead of blocking streets and roads and disrupting the movement of residents.
According to witnesses in Sana'a, the militia informed shop owners, vendors, and citizens in Tahrir Square and adjacent streets to prepare for shop closure ahead of the exhibition.
The group continues to hide the numbers of its losses; however, militia leaders responsible for the families of the dead admitted that more than 90,000 members had been killed.
Yemeni families complain that Houthis continue to target youths and minors for recruitment. They accuse the group of deceiving and brainwashing their children to exploit them in their war agenda.
Residents of Sanaa's second-largest district, Maain, accused the militias of kidnapping youths and minors, indoctrinating them through a sectarian program and then sending them off to the frontlines.
The accusation was made after dozens of families whose children have disappeared were stunned by the portraits Houthis hung around a parliament building under construction to commemorate those killed in battle.
