The Ministry of Human Rights strongly condemns the military escalation and widespread violations committed by the Houthi terrorist militia since 3 September in several areas of Taiz, Hodeidah and Marib governorates. These violations have included attacks using ballistic missiles, drones and various other weapons, as well as the targeting of populated areas, displacement camps and convoys of civilians fleeing areas of fighting.
According to incidents documented by the Ministry and reports received as of the issuance of this statement on the evening of Sunday, 13 September, these violations have resulted, in a preliminary toll, in the deaths of 150 civilians and injuries to more than 200 others. Around 85,000 people have also been forced to flee their homes, amid widespread destruction of property and the loss of homes, livelihoods and basic necessities.
Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also indicate that approximately 2,000 people have arrived in Djibouti as a result of the escalation, underscoring the expanding humanitarian consequences of displacement beyond the affected areas inside Yemen.
In Hodeidah Governorate, the Ministry documented incidents of direct shelling targeting civilians as they fled Hays District, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. This constitutes an extremely serious violation in which civilians were targeted even as they attempted to move away from areas of fighting to safer locations.
In Taiz Governorate, violations included the shelling of the Al-Shaqab area on Saturday, which killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child, in addition to attacks on residential areas that forced residents to flee. Areas along the western coast have also witnessed extensive attacks affecting populated communities and displacement areas, resulting in civilians being killed, injured and displaced.
In Marib Governorate, displacement camps and residential neighbourhoods have been repeatedly targeted by ballistic missiles and drones, leaving dozens of children dead or injured and exposing thousands of displaced families to immediate danger and a renewed wave of violence and displacement.
The Ministry notes that the violations have not been limited to killings, shelling and forced displacement. They have also included the storming and looting of premises belonging to international organisations, homes and government institutions, as well as the abduction of a journalist in the city of Mocha and the abduction of government employees, officials and members of the judiciary. These practices target civilians, state employees, media professionals and humanitarian workers and violate their legally protected rights.
The Ministry is also following reports of field executions, including allegations that wounded individuals were targeted inside medical facilities. The Ministry stresses that the wounded and persons hors de combat are entitled to special protection under international humanitarian law, and that killing, attacking or denying them medical care constitutes a grave violation that cannot be justified by the circumstances of military operations.
The Ministry affirms that targeting civilians, displacement camps and convoys of civilians fleeing areas of hostilities; attacking civilian and medical facilities; extrajudicial killings and field executions; abduction and arbitrary detention; and the looting of property all constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Depending on the nature and circumstances of each incident and the evidence established, some of these acts may amount to war crimes.
The Ministry of Human Rights holds the Houthi terrorist militia responsible for these violations and calls on the international community, the United Nations, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to take urgent action to stop attacks against civilians; ensure the protection of displaced persons, displacement camps, evacuation convoys and medical facilities; secure the release of abducted and arbitrarily detained individuals; and clarify the fate of those who remain in detention.
The Ministry also calls for support for monitoring, documentation, investigation and evidence-preservation efforts, in coordination with the relevant national authorities; protection for victims and witnesses; accountability for those responsible for violations; and redress for victims. It further calls for an urgent expansion of the humanitarian response for displaced and affected families and for ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches them without obstruction.
The Ministry reiterates the Government’s commitment to protecting civilians and safeguarding their rights, and to continuing its efforts to monitor and document violations and follow up on reports received.
The Ministry extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes the wounded and injured a speedy recovery, stressing that the continued targeting of civilians must not go unpunished.
Issued by: Ministry of Human Rights
Aden | 13 September 2026
