Human Rights Watch (HRW) has labeled the Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the village of Hanaka Al-Masoud in Al-Bayda Governorate, central Yemen, as war crimes. In a report released on February 13, 2025, HRW details how Houthi militants attacked civilian homes and infrastructure between January 5th and 12th, 2025, under the guise of searching for militants.
The attacks resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries, and the detention of many villagers without charge. Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at HRW, called for an independent investigation into the incidents and urged the international community to ensure accountability and protect Yemeni civilians.

HRW's report documents the Houthis' use of drones, armored vehicles, missiles, and small arms in the attacks. Researchers verified the use of small arms and light weapons and conducted interviews with multiple individuals, including a victim's family member and two human rights defenders.
HRW highlighted the Houthis' established pattern of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure over the past nine years.  The report cited previous incidents, including the March 19, 2024, demolition of a house in Radaa that killed nine civilians, including children, and the 2021 indiscriminate artillery and missile attacks in Marib Governorate that caused civilian casualties and displacement.