Houthi Violations in Al-Bayda: A Disturbing Report
The Rights and Development Monitoring Center has documented 868 serious violations committed by Houthi militias, backed by the Iranian regime, in Al-Bayda Governorate during 2025. This alarming figure highlights the ongoing human rights crisis in the region.
Overview of Violations
In its seventh annual report titled “Al-Bayda 2025: Geography of Oppression and Harvest of Abuse,” the center details the state of human rights in Al-Bayda. The report reveals that abduction and arbitrary detention topped the list, with 690 cases reported. Most incidents occurred in the districts of Al-Qurayshiyah and Rada, where military vehicles served as primary tools for mass abduction.
January: A Month of Escalation
January emerged as the month with the highest number of violations, recording 612 incidents. This spike coincided with a military campaign targeting the Al-Masoud area in Al-Qurayshiyah district. The report underscores the severity of the situation, as the military actions have led to widespread human suffering.
Impact on Civilians
The report also highlights the tragic consequences for civilians, noting the deaths and injuries of 14 children and women due to shelling and landmines planted by Houthi forces. Additionally, the report mentions the detention of 16 bodies of victims in Al-Qurayshiyah, which the militias used as leverage against local families. Furthermore, 26 residential buildings and 13 mosques suffered damage or destruction, aiming to erase the social and religious identity of the governorate.
Historical Context of Violations
The report includes a cumulative historical index from 2014 to 2025, revealing a total of 13,384 violations. Kidnapping and arbitrary detention remain the most prevalent, with 3,773 cases reported. This situation has effectively transformed Al-Bayda into a large prison, lacking even the most basic standards of human dignity.
Systematic Collective Punishment
The center asserts that the events in Al-Bayda, particularly in Al-Masoud, represent more than just isolated violations. They describe the situation as systematic collective punishment aimed at weakening and dismantling the tribal fabric of the region. The center holds the Houthi militias directly responsible for the documented violations.
Call for International Action
In light of these findings, the center urges immediate international pressure to secure the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and to demand the return of the bodies held by the militias. They emphasize that this is not only a humanitarian right but also a moral obligation.
The report sheds light on the dire human rights situation in Al-Bayda, calling for urgent action to address these violations and restore dignity to the affected communities.
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