Monthly Briefing / September – 2023

On the anniversary of their seizure of power in Sanaa, the Houthi group showcased their military forces (Iranian origins) in an effort to overshadow the memory of the September 26 revolution. In response, the national army in Ma’rib also displayed its military might to mark the anniversary of the September 26 revolution.  Despite the truce, sporadic confrontations between the government army and the Houthi group persist on most fronts, with ongoing mobilization efforts in these areas.

• The Houthi group announced the deaths of six of its field leaders within a week on the battlefronts, including two holding the rank of Brigadier General. This occurred despite the ongoing truce that has been in effect since April 2022, although they did not disclose the specific locations of these fatalities. September 17
• The United Nations mission in Hodeidah documented a significant surge — 122% — in civilian casualties resulting from landmines during August, compared to the figures from July. Disturbingly, the majority of these victims were children and women, with many of these explosive devices attributed to the Houthi group. September 24

While there has been a significant decline in military confrontations between the legitimate government and the Houthi group, the overall security situation is deteriorating. The government and joint forces have reported setbacks in their attempts to dismantle Houthi group cells in Ma’rib and the western coast, as well as to intercept drug shipments in international waters. Moreover, the security turmoil in Shabwa Governorate has intensified, marking a significant departure from the stability that was maintained during the tenure of the former governor, particularly under the influence of the UAE.

• Egyptian authorities apprehended Adel Al-Shujaa, a journalist, academic and leader of the General People’s Congress Party. His arrest was attributed to his critical writings concerning the government and the coalition in Yemen. There are concerns that he may be deported to Aden, a move that has raised human rights alarms for the potential threat to his life. September 18
• The military media of the Joint Forces released the statements of two individuals connected to a “terrorist cell associated with the Houthi group.” These individuals admitted their intent to place explosive devices along the road connecting Mocha and the city of Taiz in August. They revealed that they were operating under the auspices of a Houthi unit known as the “Humanitarian Operations Unit.” September 20
• A British Royal Navy warship intercepted a suspicious sailboat in the northern Arabian Sea and confiscated approximately a half-ton of drugs valued at $3.5 million. This region is widely recognized as a prominent smuggling route from Iran to the Houthi group in Yemen. September 20

Even with the Saudi deposit announcement, inflation of the Yemeni riyal continues to escalate. The overall economic landscape in the country is fraught with numerous challenges, including the persistent threat of a return to conflict, the halt in oil production, the discontinuation of gas exports and soaring inflation rates. These factors have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and compounded the already severe economic hardship faced by Yemen.

– The Central Bank of Yemen conducted an “exceptional” public auction, offering $30 million for sale. However, it was only able to sell $14 million. Concurrently, the Yemeni riyal’s value continued to decline, erasing most of the gains it had made since the start of last August, despite Saudi Arabia’s announcement of over a billion dollars in support of the government budget. August 31

– The Austrian OMV company, which operates in the Al-Uqla oil sector in the eastern part of Shabwa Governorate of Yemen, has disclosed its plans to terminate the employment of 200 of its workers at the beginning of the coming year. This decision has been made in an effort to prevent a complete shutdown, as crude oil exports and sales have come to a complete halt since October 2022. September 5

During this month, Yemen witnessed grave human rights violations, including instances of extrajudicial killings, such as the tragic case of a doctor in Dhamar Governorate who was killed by an assailant associated with the Houthi group. There were also reports of arbitrary arrests, cases of torture, the recruitment of children into armed groups, obstructing access to humanitarian aid, and organizations reporting a surge in trials against political dissidents. Additionally, kidnapping campaigns targeted individuals who had participated in Yemeni National Day celebrations, commemorating the anniversary of the September 26 revolution.

– The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed serious concern over the rising number of casualties from landmines in Yemen, totaling 1,469 victims in just five years. Yemen has been categorized as one of the most heavily contaminated regions globally with explosive remnants of war, with international estimates indicating the presence of approximately one million mines laid during the years of conflict. August 11

– In a decision made by a court associated with the Houthi group in Sana’a, it was ruled that three doctors and the Pharmaceutical Authority must provide compensation (blood money) in the case involving the tragic deaths of 11 children and the infection of 10 others due to a tainted drug for blood cancer. Notably, the court overlooked the individual responsible for importing the medicines, who holds close ties to the Minister of Health. August 24

– Committees associated with the Houthi group have initiated a data-collection effort concerning the citizens, their properties (including residences, shops and real estate) and their sources of income. They are requiring individuals to complete official forms with precise information. This move aims to broaden the scope of levies and taxes imposed by the group on the citizens. September 15

– France-Presse has reported a distressing incident involving children battling leukemia at Kuwait University Hospital in Sana’a. The symptoms observed in these children over the past month have mirrored those that led to the tragic deaths of over 20 children last year after they were administered a dose of methotrexate. September 22

– The Houthi group initiated oppressive operations against individuals participating in the anniversary celebrations of the September Revolution in Sanaa, Ibb and Dhamar. They established checkpoints and halted vehicles belonging to citizens displaying national flags and coerced them, often at gunpoint, to remove these flags. September 26

• The World Food Program said that it is forced to reduce cash and food aid in Yemen due to a severe lack of funding. This will include school meals and aid provided to fight malnutrition. August 28
• The World Health Organization has issued a warning regarding a surge in measles and rubella cases affecting children in Yemen. The number of suspected cases has reached 34,413, with fatalities recorded through the end of last July. This marks a substantial increase compared to the previous year, during which there were 27 suspected cases and 220 deaths. The situation is particularly concerning for pregnant women. August 31
• The United Nations International Organization for Migration has reported that, since the start of 2023, over 25,000 Yemeni people have been displaced due to the enduring conflict in the country, which has persisted for eight years. According to their weekly report, from January 1 to September 2, 2023, 25,128 individuals, representing 4,188 families, were displaced.

• During the second week of September, the Masam Mine Clearance Project in Yemen reported the successful removal of 968 mines, unexploded ordnance and explosive devices. This achievement brought the overall total to 1,751 items removed, along with the clearance of 216,222 square meters of land. Since the beginning of the month, a cumulative total of 467,887 square meters has been cleared.