Yemen Rights Network: Houthi landmines have killed and injured 2,533 civilians over the past nine years.

Alarming Impact of Landmines in Yemen: A Report from the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has reported a staggering 4,947 cases of human and material damage caused by landmines planted by Houthi militias, backed by the Iranian regime. This data spans from January 2017 to March 2026.

Human Casualties from Landmines

In a recent report released to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness, the network documented 1,104 fatalities and 1,429 injuries due to landmine explosions. Among the deceased, 232 were children under the age of 17, and 98 were women. The total civilian death toll reached 774, with 316 children and 171 women among the injured. Alarmingly, 693 of the injured now suffer from permanent disabilities, including 252 amputations and two cases of blindness. This highlights the long-term humanitarian impact of these violations on victims and their families.

Most Affected Regions

The report identifies Taiz as the most affected governorate, recording 198 deaths. It is followed by Al Hudaydah with 127 deaths, Marib with 120, Al Bayda with 98, Al Jawf with 97, Lahij with 93, Hajjah with 71, and Saada with 56. The remaining cases are distributed across various other governorates.

Material Damage from Explosions

The network also reported significant material damage, noting that 998 buildings were destroyed by high-explosive landmines. This destruction included 712 homes, 52 schools and Quran memorization centers, 48 government offices, 9 private facilities, 62 mosques, and 22 commercial shops.

Explosions in Transportation and Infrastructure

The field team documented 368 incidents of landmine explosions in various transportation methods across 14 Yemeni governorates. Additionally, 26 bridges and crossings, 18 water wells, and 46 farms were completely destroyed.

Ongoing Threat to Civilians

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms emphasized that landmines planted by Houthi militias remain one of the most dangerous ongoing threats to civilian life in Yemen. These mines act as silent killers, claiming lives and destroying essential resources, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as the protections guaranteed by the Yemeni constitution for the right to life and physical safety.

Call for International Action

The network holds the Houthi militias fully accountable for planting various types of landmines in populated civilian areas, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties, including women and children. The widespread destruction of infrastructure and disruption of livelihoods further exacerbates the crisis. The network urges the international community, including the United Nations and the Security Council, to take a firm stance against these violations and to include those responsible in international sanctions lists to ensure accountability.

This report underscores the urgent need for action to protect civilians and address the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines in Yemen.

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