Monthly Briefing /November– 2024

The military escalation persists with Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, along with limited clashes on the Marib and Taiz fronts. The Houthis are also intensifying their military mobilization, particularly in light of the escalating events in Syria.

• A UN report published revealed that Houthi leader Mohammed al-Talibi operates a network smuggling weapons from Iran to the Houthis via sea. The shipments include assault rifles, missile components, and explosive devices. November 1
• A UN report disclosed that the Southern Transitional Council (STC) rejected a request from the Ministry of Defense in Yemen’s legitimate government to submit the names of its soldiers for salary equalization. The report also accused the STC of manipulating soldier lists and continuing to block parliamentary sessions in Aden. November 1
• The US Department of Defense announced that its fighter jets had conducted airstrikes on advanced Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, which were used to target ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. November 10
• The International Maritime Organization reported 69 incidents targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the onset of Houthi naval attacks a year ago. November 24
• US Central Command Commander General Michael Kurilla met with Yemeni Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Saghir bin Aziz to discuss enhancing maritime security and efforts to counter Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. November 26
• A Swiss organization reported that Houthi fighters are participating alongside Russian forces in Ukraine through a company linked to arms smuggling. The report alleged coordination with the Houthi-controlled House of Representatives in Sana’a. November 28

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced the death of First Sergeant Mohammed Atiq Al-Khaili, who succumbed to injuries sustained during Operation Decisive Storm in 2015 as part of the Yemen conflict. November 28

The United States imposed new sanctions targeting entities and individuals associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Houthis. Reports also revealed that the Houthis are smuggling Yemeni youth to Russia to recruit them for combat in Ukraine.

• • The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on 26 companies, individuals, and ships linked to Syria’s Al-Qatirji Company. The sanctions were for financing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force, and the Houthis through the sale of Iranian oil. November 10

• The Arab Coalition announced that an officer and a non-commissioned officer were killed, and another officer was injured, during an incident at a coalition camp in Sayoun, Hadhramaut Governorate. The attack was reportedly carried out by an individual affiliated with Yemen’s Ministry of Defense during a training session. November 10

• The Criminal Court in Aden sentenced Brigadier General Amjad Khaled, former commander of the Transport Brigade, and three others to death on charges of forming an armed gang. The ruling has sparked accusations that the Southern Transitional Council (STC) is exploiting the judiciary to target political opponents. Brigadier General Amjad Khaled opposed the STC during its takeover of Aden in 2019. November 18
• A Financial Times report published revealed that the Houthis have been smuggling Yemeni youth to Russia through a company affiliated with them. The youth were reportedly lured with promises of jobs and citizenship but were ultimately coerced into fighting in Ukraine. November 25

The Aden Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant for Ali Muhammad Al-Saya, accused of leading a gang responsible for assassinations and bombings. Investigations uncovered Al-Saya’s direct involvement in these crimes. He previously served as Deputy for Intelligence Affairs in the Counter-Terrorism Service, headed by Major General Shallal Shaya. November 25

• the World Bank warned of a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in Yemen caused by ongoing conflict and political fragmentation. The Yemeni economy is projected to contract by 1% in 2024, amid declining government revenues and worsening living conditions.  November 1

The United Nations reported that the Yemeni currency had lost 25% of its value in government-controlled areas over the past year and 36% over the past three years. This depreciation has driven up food and fuel prices, exacerbating the economic hardship faced by Yemenis. November 6

• • The Houthi group placed a siege on the homes of the family of the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Hussein Al-Ahmar in Sana’a, preparing to confiscate the property. The operation involved the women’s police and rapid intervention forces. November 3

• The American Center for Justice condemned the detention of six doctors from Sana’a by the “Transitional Council” forces in Aden on October 25. They were arrested while attempting to receive medical supplies. November 5

•  Soldier Muhammad Suleiman, who had been imprisoned by the Houthis since 2020, died due to severe torture at the Central Security Prison in Sana’a. November 10

The American Center for Justice reported that Mohammed Hamoud Moharam, a young man, has been forcibly disappeared in Aden by the “Transitional Council” forces for over seven years, without trial or formal charges, and his fate remains unknown. November 11

Yemen is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis in 2024, with escalating hunger, the deprivation of education for 8 million children, and deteriorating health conditions, including the spread of measles and cholera. Displacement continues, and basic services are collapsing.

• A report revealed that heavy rains in Yemen throughout 2024 caused floods, resulting in the deaths of 240 people, 635 injuries, and the displacement of 655,000 individuals. November 15
• According to a UN report, the hunger crisis in Yemen has worsened, with the country ranking second in the Global Hunger Index for 2024. The displaced population is suffering immensely, with food deprivation rates reaching 36% in September. November 19
• The International Organization for Migration reported that the ongoing conflict in Yemen has left 2.4 million children out of school, with another million dropping out. Over 2,000 schools have been damaged, and an estimated 8 million children, including 1 million displaced, may lose access to education. November 20
• The World Health Organization announced that since the beginning of 2024, Yemen has registered 33,000 suspected cases of measles, resulting in 280 deaths. In addition, 204,000 cholera cases have been reported, with 710 deaths. November 27

The International Organization for Migration announced that approximately 20,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the beginning of 2024. These individuals are spread across 3,297 displaced families, with 59 families displaced during the past week. Additionally, 61 families were added to the overall cumulative displacement total. November 28

Infographic Outline:

1. Title: Yemen Displacement and Migration Data (October 2024)
2. Section 1: Displacement to Marib Governorate

• Total displaced: 146 families, 876 individuals
• Movement due to economic conditions: Dozens of families relocated from rented homes to camps
• Total displaced since January 2024: 1,326 families

1. Section 2: African Migration to Yemen

• Total African migrants: 6,364 (136% increase from September)

• Countries of origin: Primarily Djibouti and Somalia

• Settlement area: Shabwa Governorate

1. Section 3: Yemenis Returning Home

• Yemenis who returned: 3,448

1. Section 4: Migrants Deported from Oman

Total deported: 172 migrants