Houthi militiamen in Yemen on Saturday closed down the University of Sanaa, and deployed tanks and armored vehicles around the building to intimidate the students, according to an Al Arabiya correspondent.

The militia also used military displays to separate protestors who stood at the main entrance of the university, as well as kidnapping around 55 students.

Meanwhile, local sources in Sanaa revealed that the Houthi militias tightened security measures and launched search campaigns to prevent citizens from walking towards Tahrir Square in the city’s center.

According to the sources, Houthi militias deployed their army on the streets and neighborhoods near Tahrir Square, along with military vehicles to patrol the capital.

The militia also placed security checkpoints to stop and search citizens, and arrested those who refused to cooperate.

The sources added that the militias directed its men to launch search campaigns on hotels and rest-stops in the capital, which resulted in the arrest of several young people who were not carrying their personal identifications.

The Houthi militias are fearful of activists’ ongoing protests on social media against the currency collapse and the drastic rise in prices.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:54 - GMT 06:54