MINA — Braving frequent attacks by Houthi militias on their way to the annual Haj pilgrimage, several Yemeni pilgrims expressed joy when they reached the holy sites. With rheumy eyes the pilgrims expressed their gratitude to Almighty Allah for His blessings, Al-Hayat reported. For many pilgrims, the trip to the Kingdom was tough as they came under frequent attacks by Houthi militias. Only some were fortunate enough to make it to Makkah while several others were forced to return because the militias did not allow them to proceed. Many of those who made it to Mina appeared to be fatigued and scared. They told Al-Hayat that they almost got killed by the militias. They still remember vividly the women and children who were killed needlessly by the militias and those who were subjected to torture. They said the militias have been torturing and oppressing Yemenis in several provinces, especially in Taaz. Adnan Ali, from Taaz, described the journey as too hard and dangerous. Some of his friends were seriously hurt and could not complete the journey. They had to use smugglers to sneak them out of Taaz into Sanaa then to Mareb and the Saudi Wadi'a Borders. Muhammad Al-Shami, also from Taaz, said the journey took 12 hours inside Yemen because the security situation was precarious, especially inside Sanaa. He saw some old people give up and go back to their provinces because they could not take the risk. Haitham Al-Subaihi said the joy of standing in Mina deserves all the risks he has taken to get there. His desire to perform Haj was stronger than the Houthi militias and he was not going to stop even if that would cost him his life. He said the militias try to prevent Yemenis from performing Haj because they want to deceive the world and make it think that it is the Kingdom that is banning Yemenis from coming for Haj.
