Yemen Peace Project

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IHL & HRL Violations - July 2019

ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT

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.

Ma’rib Governorate

On July 17th, Mareb Press reported that the Houthis attacked a residential neighborhood in the city of Ma’rib with rockets, damaging several buildings. Targeting civilian residences is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit attacks against civilians. 

Ta’iz Governorate

On July 18th, Houthis executed a boy, whose age was unspecified but who was identified by Al-Masdar Online as a minor, at a checkpoint east of the city Ta’iz. The Houthi gunmen reportedly accused the boy of being affiliated with Islamic State. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians as well as rule 135, which establishes special protection for children. 

Al-Masdar Online reported that two children died as a result of injuries sustained when a mortar shell fired by Houthi militia forces hit their home in the al-Rawdha neighborhood on July 29th. Another child and an adult were also injured. This attack constitutes a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians as well as rule 135, which establishes special protection for children. 

‘Amran Governorate

On July 21st, a Yemeni civilian was killed and mutilated by Houthi militia forces in Raydah in an event described by SAM as an extrajudicial execution and use of excessive force. This killing is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, rule 90, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and rule 92, which prohibits mutilation. 

Al-Hudaydah Governorate 

Al-Masdar online reported that Houthi shelling killed a dairy factory worker and injured a woman and several children. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.

Al-Baydha Governorate

On July 29th, five women were abducted from a transit bus by Houthi militiamen. According to Al-Masdar Online, eyewitnesses to the event reported that the women were taken to unknown locations after the militia stopped the bus and forced it to depart while refusing to release the women. This abduction is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, rule 99, which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and rule 134, which provides for protections and rights of women. 

Al-Dhali’ Governorate

A Houthi sniper shot and killed two women inside their homes on July 31st. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.

SAUDI-LED COALITION

Ta’iz Governorate

On July 1st, Al-Masdar Online reported that seven civilians had been killed in Saudi coalition air raids that targeted the Warzan district. This strike is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.

Al-Mahrah Governorate

Al-Mahra post reported on July 18th that journalist Yahya al-Sawari had been kidnapped by local militia forces backed by Saudi Arabia. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians, and rule 34, which protects journalists. 

Sa’dah Governorate

According to the manager of a local hospital, thirteen people were killed and twenty-three injured in a Saudi coalition airstrike that hit the al-Thabet market in the Qatabir district. This strike is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which prohibit targeting civilians.