In Video: Coalition wounded recruits set fire to their prosthetic legs in Taiz

TAIZ, Nov. 11 (YPA) – Dozens of wounded recruits loyal to Saudi-led coalition factions staged a protest outside the local authorities’ headquarters in central Taiz on Tuesday, demanding payment of salaries and dues that have been delayed for nearly six months.

Participants in the demonstration said they face widespread neglect and marginalization, with no regard for their living conditions or arrangements for treatment abroad.

The protesters accused pro-coalition leadership of failing to provide proper care for injured soldiers.

They carried banners denouncing the disregard for their demands and the minimization of their suffering, describing the protest as a message to what they called the “human conscience.”

During the demonstration, one wounded soldier set fire to his prosthetic leg in a dramatic expression of frustration over the unpaid salaries and delayed allowances.

A statement released by the protesters demanded disbursement of a monthly 100 million rial payment for the wounded, in line with instructions from Rashad al-Alimi, the head of “Presidential Leadership Council” and called for the continuation of their medical treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, wounded recruits in Marib have staged a sit-in for the third consecutive day, demanding payment of salaries and allowances that have been overdue for months.

The protest comes amid the pro-coalition government’s struggle to secure fuel shipments for power plants in Aden and other provinces, including Lahj and Al-Mahra.

@E.Y.M