Yemeni Rights Group Documents 85 Violations in Western Coast

A rights organization in Yemen has published a comprehensive report detailing alleged human rights abuses in the country's western coastal regions. According to ABNA English, the document covers an eight-year period and records 85 distinct cases of violations against civilians, including killings, forced displacement, and arbitrary detention.

The report, released by the organization Insan for Rights and Freedoms, states that 45 civilians were killed and 14 others were wounded during the specified timeframe. Additionally, the organization claims that 2,210 individuals were displaced or affected by the conflict, with specific incidents involving the targeting of residential areas, markets, and civilian infrastructure.

Attribution of documented violations

Amal al-Makhzaji, the vice president of Insan, stated that approximately 80 of the recorded cases are attributed to the Saudi-Emirati coalition and affiliated entities. The remaining five cases were linked to other foreign forces. The organization identified specific patterns of abuse, including the restriction of services, damage to civilian facilities, and the targeting of fishermen and local communities.

Notable incidents cited in the report include an airstrike on a civilian vehicle returning from Al-Barah market, which resulted in the death of 21 people. The report also references the Al-Duraihimi incident in August 2018, noting that among the victims were 22 children and four women. These examples are used to illustrate the alleged impact on vulnerable populations in the region.

Calls for international investigation

Ali Tayseer, head of the National Human Rights Commission, called for the formation of an independent international committee to investigate the crime scenes. He emphasized that the ongoing blockade and economic pressures should not obstruct accountability for alleged perpetrators. Tayseur urged the United Nations and the Security Council to take a clear stance against the documented crimes.

Sanad al-Siyadi, the organization’s spokesperson, explained that the report was based on the collection of testimonies and monitoring data. He placed full responsibility for the violations on the aggression coalition and local armed groups supported by it. The organization has called for legal trials against those it identifies as responsible for the deaths and abuses.

Scope of the report

The report covers the period from January 1, 2018, to September 10, 2026, focusing on rights to life, physical health, and personal security. It addresses issues such as the protection of children from recruitment, the safeguarding of medical and educational centers, and the right to food and humanitarian aid. The document aims to provide a legal reading of the patterns of violations and the institutions responsible.