Barran Press
A catastrophic explosion on May 22 in Sana'a's Sarf neighborhood, attributed by local sources and a human rights investigation to a clandestine Houthi weapons depot, has left a trail of death and destruction, annihilating one family and prompting accusations of a systematic Houthi cover-up.
Mohsen Al-Wasabi, 34, is now without his family or home after the blast. His wife and seven children were all killed when their house, which he spent five years building, was obliterated. It was among the closest structures to the exploding arsenal, located between Khashm Al-Bakra and Sarf.
Civilian Shield Allegations Emerge Amidst Widespread Damage
Despite the evident danger, the internationally designated terrorist group reportedly failed to warn or evacuate residents, effectively using them as human shields in their decade-long conflicts.
A probe by the Sami Organization for Rights and Freedoms revealed the explosion's impact spanned over 60 meters from its epicenter. The blast is estimated to have caused 150 casualties, including fatalities and injuries, and damaged or destroyed approximately 100 homes, eight commercial shops, and 30 vehicles.
Houthi Forces Impose Strict Clampdown, Media Blackout
Immediately following the incident, Houthi forces established a severe security cordon, isolating the neighborhood and barring even victims' relatives from approaching or assessing the damage. Local sources reported an intensive deployment of Houthi militants, setting up checkpoints and sealing all access routes to the blast site.
These actions are widely perceived as a blatant attempt to obscure the facts of the incident and falsely attribute it to external "aggression." Witnesses, however, contradict this narrative, having seen missiles launch from the depot, with one reportedly landing near a gas station.
"Collective Punishment," Dignity Denied
Sadiq Jamal, a Sarf resident, condemned the events as "collective punishment" and a "deliberate humiliation of citizens' lives and a disregard for their property." Speaking to "Baran Press," Jamal criticized the Houthis' "lack of any sense of responsibility or humanity" in their handling of victims. He added that the group imposed a "comprehensive blackout", threatening anyone attempting to document or share details of the incident.
Jamal further stated that Houthi forces confiscated phones from citizens who filmed the explosion and arrested others for merely sharing images on social media, a tactic human rights sources cite as a consistent Houthi method to control narratives and suppress incriminating evidence.
No Burials, No Condolences Amidst Demands for Justice
Mohsen Al-Wasabi informed "Baran Press" that his family's bodies, along with dozens of other victims, remain in the Republican Hospital morgue. Al-Wasabi refused to claim their bodies for burial, insisting on Houthi acknowledgment of responsibility and fair compensation. "My family's bodies are still in the hospital morgue. I refused to receive and bury them until it is acknowledged that they were unjustly killed, the world knows the truth of what happened, and the victims are compensated," he asserted.
Al-Wasabi and other victims' families are demanding an official investigation and Houthi recognition of the "crime," which they say has been met with "complete disregard." He added that the Houthi group has "not only denied responsibility...but also refused to offer any compensation...or even acknowledge the scale of the tragedy." The brother of another victim, identified as "T.G.," told "Baran Press" that the Houthis also prohibited residents from holding funeral ceremonies or visiting victims.
"Burying the Crime": Rubble Cleared Before Investigation
Amidst rising anger and compensation demands, local sources report Houthi forces deployed bulldozers to the area, clearing rubble and performing superficial repairs on damaged homes. This is seen as an attempt to pacify residents and buy time, potentially silencing voices through threats or false promises.
Sources describe these actions not as genuine reconstruction but as a "rearrangement of the debris," an act of "duty evasion and responsibility avoidance." Al-Wasabi noted that bulldozing began before any neutral investigation or official damage assessment, accusing the Houthis of "burying the crime" rather than removing its evidence.
Community activist "A. Al-Kindi" confirmed to "Baran Press" that the demolition occurred under security supervision, with the clear aim of "erasing all indications that what happened was a result of illegal arms storage within a residential neighborhood." Al-Kindi noted this is a recurring Houthi tactic to destroy evidence before any neutral or human rights body can arrive.
"War Crime" Allegation Leveled Against Houthis
Fahmi Al-Zubairi, Director of the Human Rights Office in the capital secretariat, told "Baran Press" that the incident in Sarf is not accidental, but a "war crime." He holds the Houthi group fully legally responsible for the deaths, citing their status as a de facto authority and their use of civilian areas for military purposes.
Al-Zubairi underscored the victims' legal right to comprehensive compensation for lives and property. He urged the documentation of these crimes for future submission to the International Criminal Court or UN investigation committees focused on Yemen.