Barran Press
On Friday, January 10, 2025, a coalition of 115 civil society organizations in Yemen urged the international community and the United Nations to take immediate action to halt the violations committed by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, against civilians in Al-Hankah, Qifa, in Al-Bayda province.
In a joint statement reviewed by Barran Press, the organizations condemned what they termed "horrific crimes" perpetrated by the Houthis, who have launched a sustained assault on the village for three days, resulting in casualties among civilians, including women and children.
The statement highlighted that the Houthis have obstructed medical assistance for the injured and have destroyed numerous civilian properties and places of worship, displacing hundreds of families after imposing a harsh blockade on the village. The Iranian-backed group reinforced its military presence in the area and arrested several local residents based on what they described as "fabricated" accusations.
The organizations accused the Houthis of cutting off access to water, food, and medicines for the village inhabitants, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, particularly among children, women, and the elderly, and threatening further loss of life and property.
These "crimes," which include intentional killings, blockades, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian structures and places of worship, reflect a military escalation by the Houthis amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions. The statement emphasized that these actions violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes, illustrating the criminal nature of the Houthi group, which indiscriminately targets innocent civilians.
The organizations called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and all relevant international bodies to condemn these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable while ensuring the protection of civilians in areas under Houthi control.
The ongoing assault on Al-Hankah Al-Masoud has intensified since January 8, with heavy artillery and drone strikes reported. Local sources indicated that the Houthi offensive, described as "barbaric," has resulted in significant destruction and civilian casualties, with initial reports indicating at least one death and twelve injuries, including three women.