Yemen is witnessing an unprecedented escalation of violence with the Saudi-Emirati coalition intensifying its violent bombing of the capital, Sanaa, and various Yemeni governorates, killing hundreds of civilians and destroying vital communications infrastructure.

At a time when the country entered absolute isolation as a result of a total internet outage due to an air strike that targeted a major communications facility in Hodeida governorate (the so-called International Gateway for the Internet) - facilities used for detention in Saada governorate (Northern Yemen) were subjected to air attacks by the Saudi-Emirati coalition aircraft. As a result, more than 100 detainees were killed or injured, while rescue workers are still searching for victims under the wreckage.

Civil and human rights organizations have expressed their deep concern about the escalation of violence and the targeting of civilians in Yemen since the beginning of this year 2022, and called for the protection of Yemenis from violations committed against them through independent and effective accountability bodies, which requires rapid action to establish an investigation mechanism to collect and preserve evidence of serious violations of human rights and laws of the war in the country, which has been living on the devastating of a grinding conflict for nearly seven years.

Osama Al-Faqih, Advocacy Director at Mwatana for Human Rights, said: “Instead of the parties to the conflict in Yemen putting an end to the devastating war that has afflicted Yemen for seven years, they are entering a new round of military escalation that does not take into account the lives of civilians and the country’s infrastructure which is a clear indication of the behavior of the warrying parties and their lack of respect for international law."

He confirmed that "Mwatana Organization has documented attacks by the Saudi- and UAE-led coalition since the last escalation on January 17, 2022, which resulted in the killing of 124 civilians and wounding 190 others, as well as targeting densely populated areas and vital service facilities."

Protection of civilians

In January 2022, Mwatana documented (9) air attacks by the coalition fighters led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE that caused damage and losses to civilians and/or civilian objects in five Yemeni governorates; the capital Sana'a, Sa'ada, Shabwa, Hodeida, and Ma'rib. At least 110 civilians, including 8 children and 3 women, were killed in these attacks, and at least 93 civilians, including 6 children and 3 women, were wounded.

"Khuyut" obtained information documented by the "Mwatana" Organization for Human Rights, confirming that at least 50 other prisoners in the reserve prison in Sa'ada were shot by Ansar Allah forces (Houthis), while trying to escape when the air strikes took place.

These attacks targeted and destroyed protected civilian objects, including: residential neighborhoods, a water tank, a detention center facility, a civilian vehicle, and a communications building.

For its part, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed its deep concern over the intensification of hostilities over the past few days, and condemned the loss of life as a result of the escalating wave of violence in Yemen.

In its statement, the ICRC called on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to spare the lives of civilians and to preserve the public facilities and infrastructure indispensable for the survival of the population. These facilities which shall remain protected include hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, water supply stations and electricity, transportation infrastructure, as well as prisons and other places of detention. 

Dreadful Attacks

In the details of what happened in the reserve prison in Saada, Mwatana Organization for Human Rights confirmed that at dawn on Friday, January 21, 2022, the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, launched a series of airstrikes on the reserve detention that resulted in a large number of casualties, either dead or wounded.

At approximately 02:40 am, coalition warplanes dropped three bombs on the pre-trial prison complex in Sa'ada city, Sa'ada governorate. The first bomb fell in ward No. (5), and about two minutes later, the second bomb fell in ward No. (2), and the third bomb fell in the prison yard from the western side. As a result of the air attack, according to preliminary information, 82 prisoners were killed, including two children who were in the juvenile ward whereas 75 prisoners, including at least three children, were injured.

Khuyut obtained information documented by the Mwatana Organization for Human Rights, confirming that at least 50 other prisoners in the reserve prison in Sa'ada were shot by Ansar Allah forces (Houthis), while trying to escape when the air strikes occurred.

The remand prison complex was a former camp for the 2021 Central Security Forces (SSF), which was converted about five months ago into a remand prison.

The Yemen Red Crescent Society, with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (the ICRC), rushed to demolished prison to provide emergency services and evacuate the wounded and dead, and two hospitals supported by the ICRC with emergency medical supplies have been receiving large numbers of causalities as the number of influxes continues to increase throughout the day.

On the same day, before the air attack on the detention center in Sa'ada, at approximately 10:15 pm, the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched an air attack on the communications building (Central) in Hodeida city, which links Yemen to the international portal for internet service (the submarine cable), which caused damages that resulted in the total disconnection of internet which was completely cut off in most parts of the country.

"It is essential to protect the lives of individuals living in the midst of armed conflict, and the human toll we are witnessing in Yemen cannot be accepted," said Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director for the Near and Middle East.

"Civilians living in densely populated areas are increasingly likely to be exposed to attacks, causing deaths and injuries among the population which will deepening the psychological trauma inflicted on communities affected by seven years of war." Carboni added.

"Detainees, like civilians, are protected under international humanitarian law, and every effort must be made so that they do not become victims of the ongoing hostilities." He stated.

"The absence of a credible peace process increases the chances of similar tragedies occurring again," concluded Mr. "Fabrizio Carboni."