The Ministry of Human Rights condemns in the strongest terms the missile attack carried out by the terrorist Houthi militias at noon today, Monday, 21 September 2026, targeting a popular market in front of the Bab al-Mandab Commercial Complex in the Al-Hajaf area of Al-Mudarabah and Ras Al-Arah District, Lahj Governorate, resulting in the injury of a number of civilians and damage to commercial properties and vehicles.
According to the information and reports received by the Ministry, the market was shelled with two ballistic missiles that struck approximately one hour apart, during the midday period when the market was busy with shoppers and passersby. Surveillance camera footage showed the moments when the two missiles struck the market, while preliminary data regarding the timing of their launch and trajectory indicate that they were launched from areas under the control of the terrorist Houthi militias in Al-Sabrah District, Ibb Governorate.
The Ministry affirms that this attack forms part of a recurring pattern it has documented over the years of the war, in which these terrorist militias, after their positions and military concentrations suffer battlefield losses, resort to shelling populated areas in retaliatory acts for which civilians pay the price. The shelling of Al-Hajaf Market comes following losses suffered by the militias during military confrontations on the Taiz, Lahj, and Bab al-Mandab fronts over the past hours.
The Ministry stresses that targeting a popular market frequented by civilians constitutes a grave violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and that intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population amounts to a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The Ministry of Human Rights confirms that it continues to collect information, verify the extent of the injuries and damage, and document this incident. It calls on the international community, the United Nations, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen to clearly condemn these attacks, exert serious pressure to halt the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, and ensure accountability for those responsible for these violations and that they do not escape punishment.
Issued by: Ministry of Human Rights
Aden | Monday, 21 September 2026
