IHL & HRL Violations - August 2019

ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT

Aden Governorate

At least 40 civilians and combatants were killed on August 1st when Houthi forces mounted drone and missile attacks on a military parade in Aden. This attack constitutes a violation of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 11, which prohibits attacks of an indiscriminate nature.

Hajjah Governorate

A child, aged 11, was killed when a Houthi projectile landed on her home in the village of al-Dair on August 4th. Her grandfather also sustained injuries. This is a violation of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 135, which stipulates that children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special protection and respect. 

Three children were injured when a Houthi rocket hit the village of al-Danani on August 7th.  This is a violation of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 135, which stipulates that children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special protection and respect. 

Al-Hudaydah Governorate 

On August 20th, four civilians, including a child, were killed by Houthi shelling in the neighborhoods of Hays. This is a violation of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 135, which requires that children affected by armed conflict are afforded special protection and respect. 

Ta’iz Governorate

On August 31st, Al-Masdar Online reported that journalist Ihab al-Shawafi had been kidnapped by Houthi militia forces. This is a violation of rule 34, which affords special respect and protection to civilian journalists as long as they are not taking part in hostilities.

Abha and Najran, Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera reported on August 8th that Houth drones had targeted civilian airports in Abha and Najran, Saudi Arabia with no injuries or casualties. Targeting civilians is a violation of rules 3 and 6

Country-wide

A report released by the Yemeni Network for Human Rights and Freedoms accused Houthi militias of 258 accounts of violations of the human rights of civilians in militia-run areas between August 17th and 23rd, including extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate shellings, use of landmines, forced displacement, and torture. These actions constitute violations of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, rule 11, which prohibits attacks of an indiscriminate nature, rule 129, which prohibits the forced displacement of civilians for non-security related purposes, and rule 90, which prohibits torture. 

SAUDI-LED COALITION

Sa’dah Governorate

Al-Mahrah Post reported in a tweet that a child had been killed and another had been injured by Saudi shelling in Sa’dah on August 15th. This is a violation of rules rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 135, which stipulates that children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special protection and respect. 

Aden and Abyan Governorates

On August 29th, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen released a report claimed that 70 people had been injured and 13 killed in two days of clashes in  Aden and Abyan in southern Yemen. Al-Masdar Online reported on August 31st that the Yemeni government has accused the militias of the UAE-backed Transitional Council of killing and injuring approximately 300 civilians, carrying out mass executions of wounded soldiers and officers, raiding civilians homes, and carrying out mass arrests. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 103, which prohibits collective punishments.

ISLAMIC STATE

Aden Governorate

On August 1st, a suicide bomber killed 11 people, including 3 officers, and wounded dozens of civilians by driving a car filled with explosives into a police station. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which violates 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 11, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks. 

AL-QAEDA IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA

Abyan Governorate

In an assault on the al-Mahfad army base on August 2nd, al-Qaeda gunmen killed at least 19 soldiers and wounded many others.