The Yemeni Human Rights Ministry accused the Houthis of using civilians as human shields in Hodeidah.
“Houthis are deployed on the roofs of citizens’ homes and are using hospitals, schools and places of worship as a base for military activities,” the ministry said in a statement cited by the official Saba news agency.
The ministry decried the group’s practices which it described as “a crime and a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law and international law.” It said that it is documenting all violations, including forcing children to fight on the frontlines.
The ministry denounced the silence and reservations shown by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as it did not condemn Houthi practices and crimes, despite continuous calls by the government urging the body to perform its professional and moral duty and to take required procedures in such circumstances.
Houthis have committed all kinds of violations in this city, including killing, arresting, torturing, blackmailing, displacing, kidnapping kids, looting properties, and using Hodeidah port to smuggle weapons and jeopardize international navigation.
The ministry held the Houthi militia responsible for the safety and security of citizens – it also reaffirmed taking all necessary measures to protect civilians.
After trying all means to persuade the Houthis to hand over the city to government control, the ministry decided to step in and rescue the city’s residents from this militia that had hindered the arrival of aid for the sake of selling it in the black market to fund its war.
