Houthi Violations in Taiz: 75 Incidents in 48 Hours Result in Deaths, Injuries, and Abductions

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has documented 75 crimes and violations attributed to the Houthi militia in Taiz province over the past 48 hours, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians, including three children, and injuries to 24 others, including 11 children. Additionally, 11 citizens were abducted and forcibly disappeared.

In a report released on Wednesday, the network stated that the casualties occurred due to shelling and sniping targeting homes and residential areas. The militia reportedly took the abducted individuals to unknown detention sites.

The report detailed that five citizens were abducted from their homes and businesses in the Al-Klaiba area of Al-Ma'afer district, identified as Khalid Taha Al-Qadi, Bandar Saeed Bin Saeed, Munir Ali Hazza', Sulaiman Al-Kahlani, and Abdulhafeez Al-Jubarti. Six other citizens, including elderly and sick individuals, were abducted in the Al-Hajariya areas.

The network's field team also monitored the Houthi militia storming and raiding 11 homes and businesses in Al-Ma'afer and Al-Hajariya, in addition to 13 homes being damaged by shelling, five of which were completely destroyed. Seven civilian vehicles were also damaged.

The network warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in Taiz due to ongoing shelling and siege, coupled with restrictions on civilian movement and hindrances to the delivery of food, medicine, fuel, and essential supplies. The shortage of supplies threatens hospitals' ability to continue providing services amidst receiving casualties, further straining health facilities.

The network called for an immediate cessation of shelling and attacks on civilians, the lifting of restrictions on population movement and supply flow, disclosure of the fate and whereabouts of the abducted and their immediate release, and an independent investigation into the violations with accountability for those responsible.

It urged the United Nations, the international community, and humanitarian and human rights organizations to take urgent action to protect civilians, ensure unimpeded access of food, medicine, and fuel, and provide necessary support to hospitals and health facilities. The network emphasized that continued violations necessitate a firm international stance commensurate with their severity, warning that any dealings with the Houthi militia should not come at the expense of civilian suffering or lead to leniency towards reported crimes and impunity.