monthly updates
Our research team monitors NGO and media reports to keep track of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law committed by all parties in Yemen. We'll update this page each month with recent incidents.
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.
Abha, Saudi Arabia
An armed drone launched by the Houthis struck Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport early Tuesday July 2nd and injured nine people, according to Saudi military officials. The Houthis have targeted that airport and others several times since June 12th, when an attack injured at least 26 people inside the Abha facility. This attack constitutes a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.
San’a Governorate
SAM for Rights and Liberties reported on July 9th that thirty detainees had been sentenced to death by a Houthi penal court in a trial they described as lacking judicial integrity. This is a violation of rule 100, which states that no one may be convicted or sentenced, except pursuant to a fair trial affording all essential judicial guarantees.
Abha, Saudi Arabia
On June 12th, Houthi forces attacked the Saudi civilian airport Abha International Airport, launching a cruise missile that struck the airport and injured 26 people. This attack constitutes a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
On June 17th, a woman was killed and two others were injured when a shell fired by the Houthi militias landed in the midst of a rally of citizens in the city of Hays. Targeting civilians is a violation of rules 3 and 6.
On June 24th, a girl was killed and four civilians, including two children, were injured as a result of Houthi shelling in the city of Hays. In a related context, a man was shot and killed by a Houthi sniper outside of his home in the al-Durayhimi District. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
On May 24, the Mothers of Abductees Organization accused the Houthis of torturing and beating three men who died in their custody. Torture is a violation of rule 90.
Country-wide
The UN has accused the Houthis of stealing and misappropriating aid meant for civilians. According to the UN, an estimated 1% of aid in Yemen has gone missing and dozens of areas throughout Yemen have been promised aid that was never delivered. This is a violation of rule 55, which prohibits inhibiting humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
San’a Governorate
A lawyer alleges that 36 defendants charged with espionage have been tortured by the Houthis during their detention. The lawyer also alleges that they have been deprived of food and medicine. Torture and any cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments are prohibited by IHL rule 90. This is also a violation of rule 118, which requires that persons deprived of their liberty are provided with basic necessities, such as food, water, and medicine.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hudaydah Governorate
The Mother of Abductees Organization has condemned Houthi forces for abducting and hiding women in Hudaydah City. The arbitrary deprivation of liberty is forbidden by rule 99.
San’a Governorate
The Houthis threw restrained prisoners suffering from severe memory loss due to torture into the streets of San’a in early March. Torture is prohibited by rule 90 and rule 118 states that those deprived of their liberty must have access to adequate medical care.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hajjah Governorate
Houthi forces have killed at least 105 civilians from local tribes in Kushar District this past month in targeted attacks and indiscriminate shelling . Civilians are protected from attack by customary IHL rules 3 and 6.
Country-wide
Aid workers report that they are being threatened in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. One aid worker was detained by Houthi forces in January and released on February 16. Impeding humanitarian aid is a violation of rule 55 section B, and rule 99 forbids the arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hajjah Governorate
On January 26, Houthi forces shelled a camp for displaced persons in the Hajjah Governorate, killing eight people wounding thirty. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which protect civilians from attack.
San’a Governorate
Over one hundred members of the Baha’i faith community remain detained by Houthi forces. On January 1, six prominent members were charged with further crimes that critics argue are being used as justification for religious discrimination. The Houthis continue to refuse to exchange the Baha’i detainees in the UN-facilitated prisoner swaps. Rule 99 forbids the arbitrary deprivation of liberty and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief called the persecution of the Baha’i faith a violation of religious liberties
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
Houthi forces continue to place land and sea mines in densely populated areas and in civilian facilities around al-Hudaydah Governorate. This is a violation of rule 22, which requires combatants to take precautions against harming civilians. Rule 81 requires parties to be discriminatory with their placement of landmines, so as not to harm civilians.
Country-wide
In December, the World Food Programme (WFP) discovered that food aid was not reaching civilians in Houthi-controlled territories. Instead, the WFP said the food is being stolen and sold by Houthi elements. This is a violation of rule 55, which forbids interference with access to humanitarian relief.
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
In November, fighting continued between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition in Hudaydah City. Houthi fighters fortified their positions around a hospital, a violation of rule 22, which requires combatants to take precautions to protect civilians.
Ta’iz Governorate
The United Nations Security Council released a report stating that the Houthis concealed weapons and fighters around civilians in al-Makha deliberately to avoid attack. This amounts to using civilians as human shields, a violation of IHL rule 97.