Houthi militia besieges Hamma Sarar village in Al Bayda; rights groups demand firm international stance.

In a concerning development, the Houthi militia continues to bolster its military presence around the village of Hamah Sarar in the Wold Rabi’ district of Al Bayda province. This escalation, which began last Wednesday, precedes a potential invasion, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights and civil organizations. These groups are calling for a decisive UN intervention to halt the militia’s actions and prevent further crimes.

Military Reinforcements and Civil Resistance

Local sources report that in recent hours, the Houthi militia has dispatched significant military reinforcements, including tanks, armored vehicles, and dozens of armed fighters, to the outskirts of Hamah Sarar. This move aims at storming the village, accompanied by intensive drone surveillance. On Friday, Houthi elements attempted to invade civilian farms and destroy them, but the villagers resisted, forcing the militants to retreat.

The sources added that the Houthi militia demands the villagers hand over a list of names accused of killing four of its members, who died after killing two villagers at a newly established checkpoint. In exchange, the siege would be lifted. However, the villagers refuse to comply, fearing for their safety and the continuation of the militia’s vengeful campaign.

A Brutal Siege Sparks Outrage

The situation escalated last Wednesday when Houthi elements killed two villagers at a checkpoint, leading to violent clashes. The villagers managed to kill four Houthi fighters who had taken positions in a mosque’s minaret.

Over 100 Organizations Denounce the Siege

In response to these events, 113 human rights and civil society organizations have strongly condemned the Houthi militia’s brutal siege and blatant aggression against Hamah Sarar. In a joint statement, these organizations expressed deep concern over the Houthi’s military escalation, targeting civilians and violating international law and humanitarian law.

The statement highlighted the Houthi’s encirclement of the village with tanks and armored vehicles, drone overflights, and the destruction of mosque minarets. It also recounted the militia’s killing of civilians at checkpoints, which sparked demands for justice from the victims’ families, only to be met with suppression and intimidation.

Calls for International Action

Civil society organizations in Yemen have criticized the international community’s silence on these violations, which undermine efforts for peace. They urge the UN Security Council and the international community to take responsibility for the ongoing attacks and terrorism against women and children in the Qifah and Rada’a areas. The joint statement calls for a firm and serious international stance to deter the Houthi militia and demands local and international human rights organizations to publicly condemn these crimes, pressure the Houthi militia to cease its attacks on civilians, and hold the perpetrators accountable.

As the situation in Hamah Sarar continues to unfold, the international community’s response remains critically awaited, with hopes for a resolution that protects the lives and rights of the village’s inhabitants.

 

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