Dozens of trucks detained for third day over “STC’s exorbitant levies” in Abyan

ABYAN, Nov. 08 (YPA) – A military checkpoint belonging to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) factions continues, for the third consecutive day, to detain dozens of cargo trucks between the Shuqra and Qarn al-Kalasi areas of Abyan Governorate, due to the drivers’ refusal to pay exorbitant financial levies.

Local sources in the governorate confirmed that the demanded fees reach 200,000 Yemeni Rials (YER) per truck, describing them as arbitrary amounts that exceed the actual value of the cargo several times over. This detention has led to a near-total paralysis in transport movement, causing increased construction and transportation costs in neighboring governorates.

The proliferation of levy collection points in Abyan has provoked widespread resentment among drivers, who have demanded that the government loyal to the Saudi-led Coalition urgently intervene to stop these practices.

In a related development highlighting the chaos, armed elements stormed one of the levy checkpoints in Abyan last Friday evening and looted approximately 25 million YER, amid reports of internal disputes over the division of the levy revenues and the involvement of a relative of the pro-coalition Abyan security director.

Furthermore, STC checkpoints in Moris district, Dhalea Governorate, are imposing similar heavy levies, reaching more than 400,000 YER per truck heading to the capital, Sanaa, contributing to the rise in basic commodity prices. These amounts are collected under the pretext of “developing the governorate,” despite a lack of tangible developmental projects or services on the ground.

YPA