Rights report confirms 7,742 violations by Houthi militia in Al Bayda since 2015.

In a revealing account of the ongoing crisis, the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has documented a staggering 7,742 incidents of human rights abuses and material damages in Al Bayda province, perpetrated by the Houthi militia since the beginning of 2015.

A Province Under Siege

The report, titled “Al Bayda Province: Between Killing and Siege,” released on Friday, sheds light on the dire situation in Al Bayda, which has been under the brutal grip of the Iran-backed Houthi militia for over nine years. The province has endured relentless violations, including bombings, sniper attacks, landmines, kidnappings, and looting, exacerbating the humanitarian plight of its residents. These actions show a blatant disregard for international laws and human rights, the organization noted.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds

The Houthi’s war and siege have plunged Al Bayda into a humanitarian disaster, causing widespread misery and crises across various aspects of life. The militia has killed hundreds of civilians, paralyzed the economic and social fabric of the province, and turned daily life into a continuous struggle amid severe shortages of essentials. Nearly half a million citizens face crises in water, education, electricity, and mobility.

Despite the militia’s attempts to militarily conquer Al Bayda, their efforts have been met with failure. However, they have resorted to committing egregious violations against the province in a bid to subdue and punish its inhabitants. These include the assassination of community leaders, the raiding and bombing of homes, and the siege of villages, among other failed attempts to assert control.

The Toll on Civilians and Infrastructure

The report details the devastating impact on civilians, with 842 killed, including children and women, through various violent means such as direct sniping, gunfire, random bombing, landmines, physical liquidation, home explosions, assassinations, torture, and more. Additionally, 931 individuals have been injured, with many suffering permanent disabilities or total paralysis.

The Houthi violations also extend to widespread arrests, kidnappings, and enforced disappearances, with 2,780 cases of arrest and kidnapping, 366 cases of forced disappearance, and 132 instances of physical and psychological torture documented.

Infrastructure and private and public properties have not been spared, with 2,691 incidents of damage recorded. This includes partial and total destruction of homes due to indiscriminate bombing, looting of civilian vehicles, blowing up of houses, damage to public service facilities, mosques, water tanks, wells, farms, private shops, vehicles, government buildings, and the closure of private and public educational institutions.

Conclusion

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms’ report underscores the severe and extensive nature of the Houthi militia’s violations in Al Bayda province, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and action to address the humanitarian crisis and restore peace and normalcy to the lives of its inhabitants.

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