ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
San’a Governorate
On April 1, Houthis released a civilian detainee who was reportedly tortured until he became totally paralyzed in their detention facility. Torture and cruel or inhuman treatment violates Rule 90 of Customary IHL.
Ibb Governorate
On April 13, an Al Masdar article claimed that Houthi gunmen forced mosque-goers to chant “Houthi slogans” in Ibb’s Grand Mosque. When some people refused to chant, some gunmen allegedly started firing into the crowd after the Friday prayer. If these claims are substantiated, attacks in order to spread terror among the civilian population violate Customary IHL Rule 2.
On April 16, Houthi personnel reportedly abducted a civilian from a mosque after he allegedly refused to adopt Houthi slogans.
Ta’iz Governorate
On April 20, Houthis reportedly blew up two houses using dynamite. According to the Yemen Monitor’s sources, Houthis were indiscriminately shelling civilian houses after clashes with the Yemeni army. If these claims are substantiated, attacks on residential areas violate IHL Chapter 3.
On April 20, Houthi militias reportedly displaced more than 1,550 families from the areas west of Ta’iz: Hays, Muzaa’ and Mokha.
Hudaydah Governorate
On April 20, one woman was killed in Hays as a result of Houthis’ mortar shelling. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
Bayda Governorate
On April 13, one journalist was killed and three others were injured by what was allegedly a Houthi shelling, local sources reported. This violates Rule 34 of Customary IHL.
Saudi Arabia
On April 11, Saudi air defense systems intercepted a missile the Houthis fired towards Riyadh, Saudi state media reported.
On April 22, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of firing a missile toward Najran. Indiscriminate attacks violate IHL Chapter 3.
On April 25, a Saudi civilian was allegedly injured by a shell shrapnel fired by Houthis. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
SAUDI-LED COALITION
Hudaydah Governorate
On April 2, an airstrike in a residential area by the Saudi-led coalition killed at least 14 civilians, including seven children. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
Ta’iz Governorate
On April 20, an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition hit two civilian vehicles, killing 17 people. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
Sa’dah Governorate
On April 26, four children were injured by the remnant of a bomb dropped by the coalition. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
Hajjah Governorate
On April 21-23, a three-day aerial bombardment in Hajjah Governorate led to 56 civilian fatalities. On Sunday, coalition airstrikes targeted a wedding party, killing at least 33 people and injuring 41. On Tuesday, an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition killed 18 civilians and injured 13 at a gas station in Hajjah. If these claims are substantiated, the Saudi-led coalition would be responsible for violations of of IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
Nationwide
From late March to late April, coalition airstrikes caused the death of at least 109 civilians, USAID reports. This violates IHL Chapter 3 and Chapter 6.
YEMENI GOVERNMENT, UAE, AND HOUTHIS
On April 17, Human Rights Watch released a report detailing how Yemeni government officials, UAE personnel, and the Houthis have arbitrarily detained, tortured, and executed African migrants arriving in Yemen. Read our summary of the report here. Torture and cruel or inhuman treatment violates Rule 90 of Customary IHL.
ITALY
On April 17, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), the Yemen-based Mwatana Organization for Human Rights, and the Italy-based Rete Italiana per Il Disarmo jointly filed a criminal complaint holding an Italian arms manufacturer and government agency liable for an airstrike in October 2016 that killed six civilians. Read our summary here.
UNKNOWN PARTIES
Aden Governorate
On April 26, three students were injured in a gun attack on a school in Aden.
Ta’iz Governorate
On April 21, unknown armed men killed an ICRC staff member, Hanna Lahoud, who was in charge of ICRC’s detention programme. This violates Customary IHL Rule 31.