After nearly a decade in operation, the Yemen Peace Project will close its doors next month. Since 2010 we have made a real and measurable impact on the world, by providing a global stage for Yemeni artists and filmmakers, by supporting Yemen’s future leaders working for positive change, and by advocating for peaceful, constructive US policies toward Yemen. During the past year, our board of directors has seriously considered how these important objectives can be pursued in the most effective and sustainable way. We’ve concluded that our small, largely volunteer-powered group can have its most long-lasting impact by encouraging and assisting other organizations and activists to move ahead with the goals for which the YPP was founded.
Empower Yemen's first report is available now
A while ago we announced the launch of our newest advocacy program, the Empower Yemen initiative. This week we’re pleased to announce that Empower Yemen’s first report is now available online! Empower Yemen brings Yemeni activists and civil society leaders into the US policy-making process by connecting them with advocacy organizations and key congressional offices in Washington. For nearly a decade, the Yemen Peace Project has advanced policy solutions based on human rights, the rule of law, and the interests of the Yemeni people. Empower Yemen is the next phase of that effort.
Through this initiative, we are asking Yemeni activists and civil society leaders for their perspectives on political, economic, and humanitarian issues that are relevant to the debate on US policies toward Yemen. Our team in Washington shares the feedback we receive with all of the US-based advocacy organizations working on Yemen, and with key congressional offices. Our goal is to ensure that policymakers are well-informed with information from the ground, and that the advocacy agenda centers the concerns and interests of the Yemeni people.
May 10-June 7: Government disputes Houthis' "withdrawal" from Hudaydah, Houthis attack Saudi oil facilities, European labor unions protest arms shipments, US and KSA ratchet up tensions with Iran
Friday, May 10
The Houthis have agreed to unilaterally remove their forces from the ports of al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Isa between May 11 and May 14. Many observers are sceptical of the promise, given the Houthis’ previous failures to follow through on this aspect of the Stockholm Agreements.
The UN is assessing possible damage to grain stored in the Red Sea Mills facility in Hudaydah following gunfire on Thursday. The National reports that the Houthis attacked the mills causing damage to one of the silos and the wheat stored in it.
Saturday, May 11
A Yemeni government minister has said that the Houthis’ handover of the three main ports in Hudaydah is a “show” meant to “disinform the international community.” Last year the Houthis staged a similar withdrawal of the port of Hudaydah, before it was discovered that the Coast Guard forces the Houthis had handed the port to were, in fact, also Houthi fighters. Journalist Baseem al-Jenani notes that this marks the third time in six months that the Houthis have announced their withdrawal from Hudaydah in accordance with the Stockholm Agreement
The Security Council has approved 75 observers to join the monitoring mission in Hudaydah as part of the Stockholm agreement. However, there are currently only 15 observers in Hudaydah while the others are waiting on visas. The observers were intended to monitor the implementation of the deal and assess conditions on the ground, tasks the mission cannot carry out without adequate staffing.
IHL & HRL Violations - May 2019
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
On May 24, the Mothers of Abductees Organization accused the Houthis of torturing and beating three men who died in their custody. Torture is a violation of rule 90.
Country-wide
The UN has accused the Houthis of stealing and misappropriating aid meant for civilians. According to the UN, an estimated 1% of aid in Yemen has gone missing and dozens of areas throughout Yemen have been promised aid that was never delivered. This is a violation of rule 55, which prohibits inhibiting humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
IHL & HRL Violations - April 2019
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
San’a Governorate
A lawyer alleges that 36 defendants charged with espionage have been tortured by the Houthis during their detention. The lawyer also alleges that they have been deprived of food and medicine. Torture and any cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments are prohibited by IHL rule 90. This is also a violation of rule 118, which requires that persons deprived of their liberty are provided with basic necessities, such as food, water, and medicine.
Congress must respond decisively to Trump's veto of S.J.Res.7
On Tuesday night, President Trump vetoed Senate Joint Resolution 7, a groundbreaking piece of legislation passed by bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress calling for an end to US military support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. The justification Trump provides for this veto has extremely dangerous implications that Congress must urgently address.
Introducing the Empower Yemen initiative!
The YPP team is very pleased to finally announce the launch of our new program: the Empower Yemen initiative. We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done on Capitol Hill to end US involvement in the war in Yemen, and this week we are particularly gratified to see the historic passage of S.J.Res.7, a piece of legislation YPP worked on for roughly two years. Under the indefatigable leadership of our past advocacy directors, Kate Kizer (2017) and Eric Eikenberry (2018), the YPP played a crucial role in the formation of the advocacy coalition that pushed S.J.Res.7 through the Senate and House. That coalition continues to grow, as does the roster of senators and representatives who understand the urgency of the crisis in Yemen and the need for a radical change in US policy.
Because of those achievements, and because there are capable leaders like Kate and Eric (and many others) continuing the struggle in Congress, we decided last year that YPP would pivot to a new phase of the advocacy effort. Specifically, we decided that our primary goal should be ensuring that the advocacy happening in Washington reflects the perspectives of those who have to live with the consequences of US policy. You’ve probably already noticed that YPP has been much quieter in 2019 than in years past; empowering Yemenis means working in the background to push Yemeni advocates and experts to the forefront. Taking advantage of our networks in Yemen and our partners in Washington, the Empower Yemen initiative aims to bring Yemeni activists and civil society leaders into the US policy-making process, bringing us closer to an American foreign policy based on human rights, the rule of law, and the interests and needs of the Yemeni people.
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - MARCH 2019
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hudaydah Governorate
The Mother of Abductees Organization has condemned Houthi forces for abducting and hiding women in Hudaydah City. The arbitrary deprivation of liberty is forbidden by rule 99.
San’a Governorate
The Houthis threw restrained prisoners suffering from severe memory loss due to torture into the streets of San’a in early March. Torture is prohibited by rule 90 and rule 118 states that those deprived of their liberty must have access to adequate medical care.
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - FeBRUARY 2019
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hajjah Governorate
Houthi forces have killed at least 105 civilians from local tribes in Kushar District this past month in targeted attacks and indiscriminate shelling . Civilians are protected from attack by customary IHL rules 3 and 6.
Country-wide
Aid workers report that they are being threatened in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. One aid worker was detained by Houthi forces in January and released on February 16. Impeding humanitarian aid is a violation of rule 55 section B, and rule 99 forbids the arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
February 15-21: UK House of Lords finds arms sales unlawful, Houthis and government agree on first phase of withdrawals in Hudaydah
Friday, February 15
A statement by the Saudi-led coalition states that no significant progress has been made in the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement. The coalition accuses the Houthis of intentionally hindering the implementation of the agreement in order to strengthen their own military capabilities. The coalition also claims that the Houthis have made more than 1,400 ceasefire violations.
It was announced that the Houthis are expected to carry out the execution of Asmaa al-Omeissy on Monday, February 18. In regard to Asmaa al-Omeissy’s case, Amnesty International had previously stated that the Houthis are using the judiciary to settle political scores.
Yemen’s Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani is being criticized for interacting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the US-led summit in Warsaw. The Houthis denounced Yamani and accused him of trying to normalize ties with Israel.
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - JANUARY 2019
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Hajjah Governorate
On January 26, Houthi forces shelled a camp for displaced persons in the Hajjah Governorate, killing eight people wounding thirty. This is a violation of rules 3 and 6, which protect civilians from attack.
San’a Governorate
Over one hundred members of the Baha’i faith community remain detained by Houthi forces. On January 1, six prominent members were charged with further crimes that critics argue are being used as justification for religious discrimination. The Houthis continue to refuse to exchange the Baha’i detainees in the UN-facilitated prisoner swaps. Rule 99 forbids the arbitrary deprivation of liberty and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief called the persecution of the Baha’i faith a violation of religious liberties
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - DECEMBER 2018
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
Houthi forces continue to place land and sea mines in densely populated areas and in civilian facilities around al-Hudaydah Governorate. This is a violation of rule 22, which requires combatants to take precautions against harming civilians. Rule 81 requires parties to be discriminatory with their placement of landmines, so as not to harm civilians.
Country-wide
In December, the World Food Programme (WFP) discovered that food aid was not reaching civilians in Houthi-controlled territories. Instead, the WFP said the food is being stolen and sold by Houthi elements. This is a violation of rule 55, which forbids interference with access to humanitarian relief.
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - NOVEMBER 2018
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
Al-Hudaydah Governorate
In November, fighting continued between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition in Hudaydah City. Houthi fighters fortified their positions around a hospital, a violation of rule 22, which requires combatants to take precautions to protect civilians.
Ta’iz Governorate
The United Nations Security Council released a report stating that the Houthis concealed weapons and fighters around civilians in al-Makha deliberately to avoid attack. This amounts to using civilians as human shields, a violation of IHL rule 97.
IHL & HRL VIOLATIONS - OCTOBER 2018
ANSAR ALLAH/HOUTHI MOVEMENT
San’a Governorate
On October 25, officers from the Houthi-controlled National Security bureau detained eighteen journalists participating in a civil society event in San’a. Fifteen were released shortly thereafter and three were held for twelve hours. Journalists are granted civilian status in IHL by rule 34, and are offered civilian protections. Their detention is a violation of rule 99, which prohibits the arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
Pictures posted on October 26 from Sanhan, a suburb of San’a, appear to support claims that the Houthis are using children as human shields. In addition to rules protecting civilians, this is a violation of rule 135, which provides special protections to children affected by armed conflict, and rule 136, which prohibits the recruitment of child soldiers. Human shields are specifically forbidden under rule 97.
December 27-January 4: Houthis obstruct aid & fail to implement ceasefire terms, coalition recruits Sudanese child soldiers
12/27
An interactive feature in the New York Times illustrates the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts to destroy Yemen’s food-production infrastructure, including airstrikes on farms and fisheries.
12/28
According to an investigative report by the New York Times, Saudi Arabia has recruited thousands of child soldiers from Sudan for the war in Yemen, many of them survivors or victims of the brutal civil war in Darfur. “In interviews, five fighters who have returned from Yemen and another about to depart said that children made up at least 20 percent of their units. Two said children were more than 40 percent.” Under US law, it is illegal for the government to issue arms export licenses or provide military assistance to states that recruit child soldiers.
12/29
Houthi leadership reported that it had removed its forces from the port of al-Hudaydah and handed over control of the port to local administrators and the Coast Guard, as required by the UN-monitored Stockholm Agreements. Government officials, however, said that the Houthis had placed loyalists inside the Coast Guard and local port administration, making their claims of compliance meaningless. “It’s a stage play in which the Houthis handed over the port to their fighters after they put on coast guard uniforms,” Hudaydah’s governor told the AP.
UN officials responsible for monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire in al-Hudaydah reported that the Houthis had failed to remove their forces from the Hudaydah-San’a highway, which has been designated a “humanitarian corridor.”
December 8-14: Houthis and government sign ceasefire, Senate passes S.J.Res.54
12/8
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) survey found that roughly 53% of Yemen’s population is currently experiencing food insecurity at the Phase 3 or “Crisis” level or worse. The survey groups individuals into five phases, from Phase 1, “Minimal” to Phase 5, “Catastrophe.” The percentage of people in phases 3 through 5 is roughly the same in Houthi-controlled San’a Governorate (47%) and in government-controlled Aden (46%).
12/9
Speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi, US Assistant Secretary of State Timothy Lenderking said that the US administration “strongly opposed” congressional and public pressure to withdraw support from the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Senate Passes S.J.Res.54
WASHINGTON--This afternoon, 56 US senators voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 54, formally titled “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.” The Yemen Peace Project--along with a broad coalition of advocacy organizations and NGOs--has been working to generate support for this measure for more than a year, and we applaud the bipartisan majority that passed the resolution for taking courageous and unprecedented action to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention into Yemen’s civil war.
NGOs and legal experts call for investigation into US mercenaries' crimes in Aden
Washington — The YPP and eleven other organizations, along with seven prominent legal experts, delivered a letter to the acting US attorney general this week urging the Department of Justice to investigate the actions of American mercenaries operating in Yemen. According to an investigation published last month by BuzzFeed, American and foreign employees of a US-based military contractor planned and carried out assassinations of civilians in Aden, on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. These acts, as described by the perpetrators themselves, constitute serious crimes under US law.
The letter was also delivered to the attorneys general of the state of Delaware, where the military contractor in question is incorporated, and New Jersey, where the conspirators claim to have planned some of their attacks. Copies were sent also to the Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.
We join the other signatories in demanding a full and transparent investigation, and we hope to see those responsible for these crimes prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The full text of the letter is below.
August 14-27: Civilians killed in Durayhimi, government-UAE tensions ratchet up again
8/14
Yemeni journalists on social media reported intense fighting between Houthi and coalition forces in the streets of al-Durayhimi, just south of Hudaydah City. Journalist Baseem al-Jenani reported multiple civilian casualties and heavy damage to residential neighborhoods.
8/15
The AP reported that fighting in al-Durayhimi killed at least 13 civilians in 24 hours. Sources also say Houthi shelling killed five civilians in Hajjah, where the Houthis face resistance from some local tribes as well as the coalition.
The AP quoted US officials who confirm that the UAE has paid money to Yemeni tribes to facilitate the withdrawal of AQAP from certain areas. This follows an earlier AP report that detailed the UAE’s practice of accommodating AQAP, and incorporating AQAP members into pro-government forces.
UAE military leaders told The Independent that the Emirati military intends to remain in Yemen for as long as it takes to “crush” AQAP, even after the Houthis are defeated. Many Yemenis believe that the UAE has colonial ambitions in southern Yemen, and its methods in the fight against AQAP have been criticized.
YPP calls on Congress & the American people to act after Supreme Court upholds Muslim Ban
Today the US Supreme Court, in a five-to-four decision, upheld President Trump’s executive order preventing individuals from Yemen and several other countries from entering the US. Lower courts previously found that this policy was inspired by anti-Muslim bias. Trump has made numerous public statements making clear his xenophobic and Islamophobic feelings, and his desire to prevent foreign Muslims from entering the US. The Supreme Court’s majority did not dispute these facts today; rather, they found that the latest version of Trump’s “Muslim Ban” sufficiently camouflaged this hatred under the guise of national security. After listing many of the President’s anti-Muslim statements in their opinion today, the Justices then describe the bureaucratic steps the administration took to make its discriminatory policy more palatable, and ultimately conclude that the text of the executive order is “facially neutral.” In other words, the five Republican Justices found that although the President of the United States is a bigot, his lawyers did not include any openly bigoted language in their third revision of an order expressly designed to keep Muslim immigrants out of this country.