A human rights report documents 8,181 violations committed by Houthi militia in Al-Bayda province.

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has reported a staggering 8,181 violations committed by Houthi militias, backed by the Iranian regime, in Al-Bayda Governorate from January 2015 to January 2025. This alarming figure highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Overview of Violations

In its recent report titled “Qifah: An Open Stage for Houthi Terrorism,” the network detailed various forms of violence inflicted upon civilians. The report indicates that 842 civilians, including women and children, lost their lives due to these attacks. Additionally, 931 others sustained injuries, many of which are permanent.

Methods of Attack

The report outlines the different methods used by the militias to carry out killings. The network documented:

• 61 cases of direct sniper fire
• 285 cases of gunfire
• 198 cases due to random shelling
• 214 cases from landmines
• 41 cases of field executions
• 13 cases from house bombings
• 18 cases of assassination
• 14 cases of murder under torture
• 8 cases of vehicular homicide
• 17 cases due to other incidents

Human Rights Violations

The report also highlights severe violations of personal rights and human dignity. It recorded:

• 2,780 cases of arrest and abduction
• 366 cases of enforced disappearance
• 132 cases of psychological and physical torture
• 2,691 incidents of property and civilian asset violations

Siege and Attacks on Al-Masoud Village

The village of Hanakah Al-Masoud in the Quraishiyah district faced a siege lasting over a week. The militias employed drones and heavy weaponry to destroy homes and displace families. This assault resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and injured 18 others, including women and children. Furthermore, the militias conducted mass abductions, targeting at least 400 civilians, including children and the elderly.

Destruction of Homes

On January 9, 2025, Houthi forces demolished approximately 16 homes and set five others ablaze due to indiscriminate drone strikes. The bombardment caused partial destruction to most homes in the Hanakah Al-Masoud area, affecting seven residential clusters, including Al-Sarm, Al-Sabalah, Kabada, Al-Qabil, Al-Qaa, Ras Al-Shafa, and Al-Mushawaf.

Continued Abductions and Violence

The report noted that the militia’s abduction campaign resulted in the detention of 400 civilians, with 360 transferred to the security department in Rad’a and 60 sent to the central prison in the same city. This campaign led to the deaths of seven civilians and injuries to 18 others, including women and children.

Call for International Action

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms condemned these actions as blatant violations of the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international humanitarian law. The network emphasized that these acts constitute war crimes and reflect the criminal nature of the Houthi militias, who target innocent civilians and pursue a violent sectarian agenda to instill fear and maintain their bloody approach.

The network urged the international community and the United Nations to take immediate action to halt these violations. It called for pressure on the Houthi militias to lift the siege and provide safe corridors for humanitarian aid. Moreover, it demanded that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international mechanisms condemn these violations and pursue accountability for the perpetrators, ensuring the protection of civilians in affected areas.

This report underscores the critical need for global attention and action to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, particularly in Al-Bayda Governorate.

 

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