Houthi Abuses Leave Over 13,000 Civilians Dead or Injured, Report Finds

A new report by the National Commission to Investigate Allegations of Human Rights Violations in Yemen has revealed a staggering toll of civilian casualties caused by the Houthi rebels. The report, released on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, documented 13,028 civilians killed or injured in 3,055 separate incidents of human rights violations committed by the Houthi group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.

The report, covering the period from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, reviewed by "Barran Press", details a grim picture of Houthi abuses across Yemen. It states that 294 civilians were killed, including 13 women and 52 children, while 593 others were injured, including 118 children and 69 women.

The report further highlights the commission's ongoing efforts to document and investigate Houthi abuses. Since January 2016, the commission has recorded 29,701 incidents of human rights violations, resulting in 63,772 victims. The commission has interviewed over 8,398 witnesses, victims, and informants, reviewed 7,886 documents, and analyzed hundreds of photographs and videos related to the violations.

The report also sheds light on specific types of Houthi abuses, including:

• Child Recruitment: The commission documented 126 cases of alleged child recruitment, with children under the age of 18 being forced into military service.
• Landmine Explosions: The commission investigated 128 incidents of landmine explosions, resulting in 52 deaths, including two women and 12 children, and 86 injuries, including 10 women and 10 children.
• Cultural Heritage Destruction: The commission documented 17 cases of alleged attacks on cultural and historical sites.
• Forced Displacement: The commission investigated 165 cases of forced displacement, both individual and collective, in various areas.
• Extrajudicial Killings: The commission completed investigations into 74 cases of extrajudicial killings.
• Arbitrary Detention and Enforced Disappearances: The commission documented and investigated 655 cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances.
• Torture and Inhuman Treatment: The commission documented and investigated 28 cases of alleged torture and inhuman treatment.
• Home Demolitions: The commission investigated 22 cases of home demolitions.
• Freedom of Expression Violations: The commission investigated 7 cases of attacks on freedom of expression.

The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Yemen and the devastating impact of Houthi abuses on the civilian population. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims of these crimes.