Houthis Block Video Call Applications in Yemen

Reports

Tue, 01-11-2022 05:36 PM, Aden

Aden (South24)

The Houthi group in Yemen, which controls the telecommunications sector in the country, blocked applications that provide video call services completely on Sunday.

The group's Ministry of Communications blocked "Zoom", "Imo", "Google Due", and other popular video calling applications.

These programs are added to a long list of different websites and applications that the Houthis banned from users, more than two years ago.

Some users of video calling software in Yemen resorted to the use VPN applications to break the blocking imposed by the Houthis.

The Houthis' continued dominance of the country's key telecommunications sector provokes widespread criticism of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

So far, the government has not been able to break or end this control, despite the huge financial and security benefits that this sector provides to the Houthis.

The Iran-backed group is accused of using telecom companies to spy on its opponents and to launch missile and drone strikes.

Despite their presence in Sanaa, cellular companies such as "Yemen Mobile" and "You" continue to provide their services in the Presidential Council controlled areas.

The Houthis also have a complete monopoly on Internet services through the company "Yemen Net", and the only Internet provider in the country, "TeleYemen".

The Houthis have not yet issued an official statement regarding the blocking of video call applications. The group did not do this previously when blocking a number of websites and applications.

"South24 Center" had revealed in a report the economic, security and military risks in light of the Houthis' continued control of the telecommunications sector.

People wait outside TeleYemen company to get satellite internet connection service in Sanaa, Yemen January 23, 2022. Reuters/Khaled Abdullah

Houthis Block Video Call Applications in Yemen