Monthly Briefing / August– 2024

A Houthi leader was killed in an Israeli raid in Iraq, highlighting the broader regional network of the Houthi group and underscoring its close ties with the Iranian axis. Domestically, both Al-Bayda and Abyan governorates experienced violent clashes, signaling onagoing tensions between the parties. On the international front, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea resumed, notably targeting a Greek oil tanker (MT DELTA SOUNION), which led the United States to intervene militarily by destroying a Houthi missile system.

• Houthi-affiliated platforms reported the death of leader Hussein Abdullah Al-Shaabal in an Israeli air strike that targeted Jurf Al-Sakhr in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of seven other Houthi members. The United States identified Al-Shaabal as a drone-manufacturing expert. August 4
• The commander of the “Security Belt” forces in Al-Mahfad district, Abyan, was killed along with one of his companions, while three others were injured in an armed clash with the Giants Forces after the latter refused to surrender their weapons at a checkpoint in Mudiyah District. August 18
• The Athens-based tanker MT DELTA SOUNION was attacked twice by the Houthis in the Red Sea, causing a fire onboard. No injuries among the crew members were reported. Previous Houthi attacks in the area had resulted in two other ships sinking and the deaths of three sailors. August 22
• The Yemeni army announced the interception of three drones launched by the Houthi group toward the Safer oil facility in Ma’rib. August 23
• A military report revealed that the Houthi group has killed and injured more than 24,000 civilians in Taiz since the war began in 2015, including 4,146 people killed and 18,000 injured. August 24
• The Iranian mission to the United Nations announced that the Houthis agreed to a temporary truce to facilitate the removal of the damaged Greek oil tanker MT DELTA SOUNION in the Red Sea, days after it was attacked. August 28

Security developments were significant, along with some key events, including the Saudi-Arabia-led Arab Coalition, which is ceasing its monitoring of flights to Sana’a Airport due to Houthi pressure, in the context of undisclosed agreements. The United States also accused an Iranian network of terrorism after intercepting a ship, in the Arabian Sea, carrying weapons.

• A source from Yemeni Airlines informed Al-Masdar Online that the Arab Coalition has stopped monitoring flights to and from Sana’a International Airport due to pressure from the Houthis, as part of undisclosed agreements between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, under Saudi sponsorship. August 2
• Supported by the UAE, the Southern Transitional Council halted a youth event in Aden, preventing participants from attending a symposium organized by the American Democratic Institute and the U.S. Agency for International Development. This marks the second event to be banned within three days. August 15
• A UN report revealed that 1,345 African migrants arrived in Yemen in July, marking a 26% decrease from the previous month. The International Organization for Migration noted that all migrants came from Somalia and crossed the Shabwa coast. This brings the total number of African migrants to Yemen in the first seven months of this year to 11,740. August 15
• Two Houthi boats attacked a ship belonging to a Chinese security company off the coast of Eritrea in the Red Sea, though no clash occurred. This is the third attack on Chinese ships since the Houthis began their maritime operations last November. August 16

The Yemeni government is preparing to undermine the Houthis’ control over the communications sector by officially launching Elon Musk’s “Starlink” satellite internet service next September, aiming to strengthen its control over communications companies and relocate them to Aden. August 28

The economic landscape faced significant challenges, with 60 members of Parliament calling for an urgent meeting to review budget performance and activate the Anti-Corruption Commission, while the Houthi re-counting Authority to provide regular reports on ministerial performance and for the activation of the Anti-Corruption Commission. August 9

• The Houthi group halted the withdrawal of deposits from banks under its control in Sana’a, with citizens’ deposits estimated at around $4.5 billion. August 10
• The national currency continued to fluctuate at its lowest levels against foreign currencies, with the dollar trading at 1,904 riyals for purchase and 1,918 riyals for sale, and the Saudi riyal was at 498.5 riyals for purchase and 500 riyals for sale. This followed the Presidential Leadership Council’s decision to halt the implementation of Central Bank directives. August 10
• The Central Bank of Yemen announced the commencement of a process to destroy local banknotes that are unfit for circulation, marking the first such operation since the bank’s headquarters were relocated to Aden in 2016. August 14

The human rights situation included multiple violations, with the Houthi group issuing death sentences for 18 abductees, including journalists previously released, in what appears to be an effort to eliminate dissent. Additionally, the Houthis stormed the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sana’a, drawing condemnation from the international community.

• The Houthi group ordered death sentences to 18 abductees, including four journalists who had been previously released in exchange deals. August 1
• Oman announced the deportation of 28 Yemeni Guantanamo detainees to Yemen, after hosting them since 2015 at the request of the previous U.S. administration. August 14
• Tribes in Al-Jawf organized a protest demanding the release of Major General Ali Mohsen Al-Hadi, who is currently detained by Saudi authorities. August 16

Human Rights Watch reported an increase in Houthi repression campaigns against UN and civil society employees in Yemen, following the storming of the UN office in Sana’a. August 17p halted deposit withdrawals from banks. In Aden, the national currency continued to fluctuate at record low levels, impacted by recent decisions from the Central Bank.

• Sixty members of the Yemeni Parliament called for an urgent meeting next September, urging the Finance Committee to assess the implementation of general and economic budgets over the past two years. They also called for the Control and Ac

The humanitarian situation in Yemen has deteriorated significantly due to heavy rains and floods, affecting over 158,000 people and causing deaths, injuries and extensive damage to property, homes and infrastructure. The United Nations and UNICEF have warned of impending crises related to malnutrition and stunting.

• The United Nations reported that, since the beginning of 2024, heavy rains and floods have impacted more than 158,000 people in Yemen, resulting in 10 deaths and 14 injuries. The floods have exacerbated damage to infrastructure and significantly affected the population. August 3
• The United States and Britain condemned the Houthis’ storming of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Sana’a, labeling it a violation of international norms and a hindrance to humanitarian aid. August 15
• Four UN organizations reported a 34% increase in acute malnutrition in areas controlled by the Yemeni government in 2024 compared to the previous year, with over 600,000 children currently suffering from malnutrition. August 18
• UNICEF Representative in Yemen Peter Hawkins warned of a looming crisis affecting children, with 48% suffering from stunting and 30% from acute malnutrition. He stressed the urgent need for intensified humanitarian efforts and investment in children’s futures. August 21
• The European mission “Aspedis” and the U.S. Department of Defense warned of a potential environmental disaster in the Red Sea following a Houthi attack on the Greek oil tanker MT DELTA SOUNION, which is carrying 150,000 tons of oil. August 23
• The International Organization for Migration reported that 13 Ethiopian migrants died and 14 others were missing after their boat sank off the coast of Dhubab in Taiz. The boat was en route from Djibouti to Yemen with 25 migrants onboard. August 25
• Heavy rains in the Milhan District of Al Mahwit Governorate caused torrential floods that destroyed numerous homes and shops, resulting in over 30 deaths and damage to 10 homes and seven shops. August 28

• Several Yemeni governorates saw large demonstrations condemning the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and expressing support for the Palestinian people. Protesters called on the world and Arab leaders to take decisive action against the ongoing crimes and the war against Gaza and its residents. August 2
• The Ma’rib Comprehensive Conference was announced in Ma’rib Governorate, with the goal of representing various political and social groups in the area. August 13
• Governorates, including Ma’rib, Taiz and Hodeida, celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the “General People’s Congress,” while the Houthi group blocked the party’s celebrations in Sana’a. August 24

The Yemeni government urged the United Nations to take urgent action to protect archaeological sites and historical cities, especially in Houthi-controlled areas, which were damaged by recent rains and floods. August 30