Tribal gunmen in Yemen's central Dhamar province attacked and set ablaze Houthi tax collection offices on Tuesday. The incident in the Ans district reportedly erupted from simmering local anger over new levies imposed on truck drivers by the Houthi group.

Local sources informed "Baran Press" that the armed tribesmen, all residents of Ans, burned the offices to protest fresh taxes and extortion demanded by the Houthis from drivers transporting "sand" material. This aggregate is a vital source of income for dozens of families in the district.
Escalating Tensions

Drivers had previously staged a strike in April, which they ended after reaching an agreement with Houthi supervisors. However, sources claim they were subsequently hit with an unexpected new tax on every cubic meter of sand.

A video circulating on social media captures the moment armed men assault and torch the tax collection rooms. The footage also shows a crowd gathered, issuing threats to confront any retaliatory attacks. Notably, Houthi military vehicles were visible during the incident, yet their occupants reportedly made no attempt to intervene or halt the destruction.

Tribal Sheikh Mohammed Hussein al-Maqdashi publicly blamed the Houthi group for the escalating violence. He specifically accused Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, the Houthi-appointed governor of Dhamar, and the provincial security director of "creating a problem in his area under the pretext of sand sale."

In a Facebook post monitored by "Baran Press," al-Maqdashi clarified that while they don't object to "official revenues," they reject "unofficial matters," holding Houthi leaders "responsible for any further problems."

Last April, truck drivers in the Ans district initiated a widespread strike, refusing to transport al-Nays after the Houthis hiked the price per cubic meter from 15,000 to 30,000 Yemeni Riyals. The Houthis had also imposed a "Zakat al-Rikaz" tax, set at 7,200 riyals per truck.