Monthly Briefing /October– 2024

Clashes between the Yemeni government forces and Houthi militias persist along key frontlines, particularly in areas of direct contact. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Minister of Defense vowed to take decisive action aimed at reclaiming the capital, Sana’a. At the same time, the Houthis are continuing to deploy their forces in both the Ma’rib region and along the West Coast, preparing for further escalation.

• • The Yemeni army reported a new type of landmine planted by the Houthi group in the Midi district of Hajjah Governorate. These mines are equipped with advanced technology that can spread over more than 50 meters, making them even more dangerous to civilians. October 3
  • The U.S. Central Command announced that it had conducted 15 air strikes targeting Houthi positions in Sana’a, Hodeida, Dhamar and Mukayras. The strikes were aimed at degrading the Houthis’ military capabilities, with some reports suggesting that British forces also participated in the attacks. October 4
  • The Houthi group revealed that they buried 66 unidentified bodies in Hodeida, bringing the total number of bodies buried in the area to 126 within less than a week. The origins of these bodies remain unclear, with conflicting reports about how they were obtained. October 6
  • Yemen’s Minister of Defense, Mohsen Al-Daari, reaffirmed the readiness of Yemen’s armed forces to advance toward Sana’a. He described the Houthi group as a “temporary project” that is gradually losing strength. October 12

• Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader, Basil Mustafa Shukr, was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon. Shukr was known to have played the most important role in training the Houthi militants since 2015. October 20

The Houthis announced they had been targeted by a series of air strikes carried out by U.S. warplanes, targeting their positions in Sana’a and Saada. October 17

Security challenges are increasing in Yemen with the intensification of arms smuggling to the Houthi group amid successive U.S. sanctions targeting companies and individuals accused of supporting the Houthis through Iranian and Chinese networks. Meanwhile, the security media revealed the seizure of new arms shipments that were on their way to Houthi-controlled areas.

• The U.S. Treasury renewed sanctions on a network of 18 entities, including individuals, companies and ships, for their involvement in supporting the financial activities of the Houthis, who receive backing from Iran. This list notably includes Saeed Al-Jamal, who is a Houthi financial official, and he is reinforcing the pressure on those enabling the group’s operations. October 17
• Yemeni government security forces at the “Shahn” port in Al-Mahrah seized a shipment of weapon spare parts headed for Houthi-controlled areas. The cargo, found aboard a truck, contained nearly 4,000 parts for automatic Kalashnikov rifles, further highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to disrupt arms smuggling. October 19
• The chairman of Yemen’s PLC convened an emergency meeting with the Supreme Security Committee. The meeting focused on strengthening security measures to combat smuggling and support the Central Bank of Yemen in its efforts to stabilize the economy. October 20

The United Nations reported that arms smuggling into Yemen continues to occur via both sea and land routes, often using small boats and traditional smuggling networks, further complicating efforts to bring stability to the region. October 21

Yemen is currently facing severe economic challenges, with escalating food insecurity and a sharp decline in the value of the national currency, which recorded its lowest levels against the dollar. According to a World Bank report, 24% of the population suffers from severe food insecurity as a result of the conflict and climate change. Reports also showed that Yemen lost more than $6 billion from the cessation of oil exports due to Houthi attacks.

• • A World Bank report has warned that food insecurity in Yemen has already risen by 6% by the end of 2024, driven by the continuing conflict and worsening climate conditions, such as droughts and floods. As a result, 24% of the population is expected to face severe food insecurity. October 13

• The Office of the UN Envoy to Yemen confirmed that discussions with the Central Bank of Yemen, both in Sana’a and Aden, are ongoing so they can address the country’s economic decline. Among the proposed solutions is the potential unification of the national currency. October 24

• The Yemeni rial has reached a historic low, with its exchange rate for the dollar hitting 2,026 riyals for purchase and 2,050 riyals for sale, further deepening the country’s economic troubles. October 24
• Yemen’s Central Bank governor, Ahmed Al-Ma’baqi, revealed that the country has lost more than $6 billion in revenue over the past 30 months, primarily due to the halt in oil and gas exports caused by ongoing Houthi attacks. October 24

The Houthi group has imposed new taxes on goods, charging an estimated 30 million Yemeni riyals per truck, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. At the same time, they are blocking imported goods from entering the country through government-controlled ports. October 19

Yemenis continue to endure widespread human rights violations under Houthi repression, with growing concerns about enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests. Human rights groups have documented the arrests of over 500 civilians during the celebrations of the September Revolution anniversary. Among the cases sparking alarm is the enforced disappearance of journalist Mohammed Al-Mayahy, with fears for his safety increasing. His case, along with the fate of many other activists, underscores the deepening human rights crisis and the suffering of ordinary civilian Yemenis.

• • The SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties reported 32 cases of enforced disappearance and torture between 2015 and 2023, most of which occurred in Houthi-run prisons. The report, titled “Years of Hell”, highlights the ongoing brutality faced by detainees. October 3

• The Humana humanitarian organization documented the arrests of 500 civilians by Houthi forces, including 40 journalists and writers, many of whom were detained for their activities on social media or for celebrating national holidays. October 5

• • Al-Masdar Online revealed the recruitment of hundreds of young Yemenis to fight for Russian forces in Ukraine. These recruits are being transported from Yemen through Oman and Dubai to Moscow. October 1
  • Since 2015, 45 journalists have been killed in Yemen, and many others face ongoing threats as repression intensifies across the country. Since the Houthi takeover, journalists have been living under constant fear and have been subjected to arrests, torture and violence. October 11

• SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties condemned the Houthi authorities for referring several staff members from international and local organizations to criminal prosecution on charges of “terrorism” and collaborating with foreign nations. This action is seen as part of a broader effort to stifle humanitarian work and suppress basic human rights. October 13

• Human Rights Watch strongly criticized the Houthi authorities for the kidnapping of dozens of Yemenis in late September 2024, including minors, women and the elderly, all of whom were detained simply for participating in celebrations marking the September 26 Revolution. October 15

Yemen is grappling with an escalating humanitarian crisis, with approximately 500,000 people displaced since the beginning of 2024. Most of these displacements have been caused by climate-related disasters, including devastating floods that have claimed 210 lives and left hundreds of thousands more suffering. Meanwhile, relief efforts are being hindered by ongoing challenges, particularly in areas controlled by the Houthis.

• The United Nations reported that nearly 500,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since early 2024, primarily due to extreme climate events. The floods caused widespread devastation across the country, resulted in the loss of 210 lives and affected hundreds of thousands more. October 4

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the deaths of 45 migrants and the disappearance of 132 others off the coast of Obock, in Djibouti. The migrants, who were forced to abandon their boats at sea, were part of a dangerous journey, and this marks the second such incident in 2024, with a total of 337 migrant deaths attributed to drowning. October 2

• In 2024, 2,800 Yemeni families were displaced at least once, with 94 families forced to flee between September 22 and October 5. The displacement was spread across different regions, with the majority coming from Hodeida and Sana’a. October 8

• The United Nations expressed deep concern over the Houthi authorities’ decision to refer kidnapped UN employees to criminal prosecution. The UN warned that this not only threatens the safety of its staff but also further complicates an already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. October 12

• The Immigration and Passports Authority announced that 44,315 passports were issued in the first half of October. Of these, 11,783 were issued through Yemeni foreign missions, 10,400 in Aden and 7,446 through the main passport center. October 18