UAE-backed forces shut down shops in Mocha for refusing to pay levies

TAIZ, Sept. 08 (YPA) – In the past hours, UAE-backed forces launched a massive campaign of raids on shops in the city of Mocha, in Taiz province, southwestern Yemen, as part of moves to impose new levies, local sources said on Thursday.

According to local sources, groups of Tariq Saleh’s forces closed a number of shops, including exchange centers in the Najiba market in the city of Mocha, after their owners refued to pay collection amounts ranging from 500-3000 Saudi riyals, under the allegations of completing the Najiba security administration building.”

A number of merchants who refused to pay the new levies were arrested, one of the sources said.

The new campaign comes amid a long series of levies and royalties imposed on merchants and shops in the city of Mocha since the UAE-backed factions took control of the city in early 2018.

E.M