HRL and IHL Violations - October 2017

Houthi-Saleh Alliance

Najran, Saudi Arabia

On October 27, 2017, Houthi forces fired a ballistic missile towards civilian populations in the Saudi village of Najran. This incident violates Customary IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.

San’a Governorate

On October 22, 2017, the bicentenary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, Houthi authorities raided a Baha’i home and arrested a local Baha’i. This incident violates Customary IHL Rule 88.

The Houthis have been accused of severe, on-going torture within their Habra prison. This incident violates Customary IHL Chapter 37 and Chapter 90.

Yemeni Government and Saudi-led Coalition

Ports on the Red Sea

The Saudi-led coalition maintains a de facto blockade of Yemen’s ports on the Red Sea, which has blocked essential aid from entering the country. The denial of humanitarian relief to civilians in need violates customary IHL Rule 55.

Baqem District, Sa’dah Governorate

On October 4, 2017, at least seven civilians--four children, two women, and a man-- were killed in a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in the Houthi-held district. This incident violates Customary IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.

Sa’dah and Hajjah Governorates

On October 7, 2017, at least 10 civilians--including one entire family--were killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in the northwestern governorates. This incident violates Customary IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.

United Arab Emirates

Bir Ahmed, Aden Governorate

On October 21, 2017, detainees held at the UAE-controlled detention facility at Bir Ahmed began a hunger strike due to ongoing mistreatment. The detainees say they will continue their hunger strike until their “legal and humanitarian rights” are granted. The mistreatment of prisoners violates Customary IHL Chapter 37 and Chapter 90.

All Sides

Countrywide

The Houthi-Saleh forces and Saudi-led coalition continue to prevent essential humanitarian aid from reaching civilians throughout Yemen, creating “shocking humanitarian conditions.” The coalition has prevented ships carrying essential goods, such as food, medicine, steel and other goods, from reaching ports. The denial of humanitarian relief to civilians in need violates customary IHL Rule 55.

The Houthi-Saleh forces and Saudi-led coalition continue to  prevent children from accessing education. The UN called on “all warring parties in the country to consider schools safe zones.”The denial of access to education violates Article 4(3)(a) of the protocol additional to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949.

Unspecified Criminal Gangs

Coastal Areas

Migrants from the Horn of Africa have been kidnapped and tortured by “criminal gangs” for ransom, according the UN Migration Agency. The torture of migrants violates Customary IHL Rule 90.