Monthly Briefing / July – 2024

Despite a fragile truce, military escalation continues on several fronts, particularly in the cities of Taiz and Ma’rib. There are intermittent confrontations between the army and Houthi militants in the north, south and center of Yemen, along with Houthi military build-ups in Ma’rib. The Houthis also carried out a drone attack on the city of Tel Aviv in Palestine, resulting in the death of an Israeli person and injuring eight others, which led Israel to respond with a violent bombing of the port of Hodeida.

• A Houthi bombing targeted the Al Shaqab area, southwest of Taiz, killing three civilians, including two children, and injuring five others, all women and children, despite the existence of an undeclared truce. July 10
• An Israeli was killed and eight others were injured as a result of a drone that exploded in Tel Aviv. Israel confirmed that the attack was caused by a falling air target, while the Houthis claimed responsibility. July 19
• Houthi-affiliated media reported that the U.S.-British Coalition launched three raids on Hodeida airport and four raids on Kamaran Island in western Yemen. Details on the damage or casualties were not provided. July 26

Explosions of mines, planted by the Houthi group in several Yemeni governorates, resulted in the deaths of two children and one citizen, and it injured nine others, including four children. The incidents occurred in Al Bayda, Hajjah, Hodeida and Sana’a. July 28

Lookout has uncovered new malware, called “GuardZoo,” targeting Yemeni military personnel, attributed to a Houthi-allied party. The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on financing and shipping networks linked to the Houthis, although similar measures have not succeeded in curbing Houthi activity in the past.

• Lookout, a data-protection company, discovered malware named “GuardZoo” that has been targeting military personnel in the Middle East since October 2019. The spyware collects sensitive data from devices and is attributed to a Houthi-allied party. Victims have been identified in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, the UAE, Qatar and Turkey. July 10

The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on financing and shipping networks linked to the Houthis on July 18. The sanctions target 12 individuals and ships within Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal’s illicit network, including Indonesia-based Malaysian and Singaporean national Mohammed Roslan bin Ahmad and People’s Republic of China-based Chinese National Zhuang Liang, who were both involved in illegal shipments and money laundering to finance the Houthis. July 18

• Yemeni Finance Minister Salem bin Braik met with his Qatari counterpart, Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, in Doha to discuss Yemen’s economic situation, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and the challenges posed by the financial crisis in Yemen. July 2

• Yemenia Airways signed an agreement with Airbus at its Dubai office to purchase eight A320 and A321 aircraft to enhance its fleet, following the Houthi’s seizure of four aircraft. These aircraft will be delivered between 2031 and 2034, with a second batch planned for the purchase of four A330 aircraft. July 17

The Yemeni riyal hit its lowest value against foreign currencies in government-controlled governorates, with the exchange rate of the Saudi riyal reaching 500 Yemeni riyals and the US dollar reaching 1,918 Yemeni riyals. A banking source warned of further deterioration if the Central Bank does not take strict and rapid measures to prevent the collapse. July 22

There has been a noticeable escalation in violations committed by the Houthi group in the areas under their control. This includes an increase in kidnapping campaigns and threats against employees of private and international institutions, alongside preparations to issue and execute political death sentences against civilians opposed to the group.

• The Houthi group has threatened new kidnapping campaigns targeting those they label as “agents of America and Israel,” giving a deadline of 30 days for cooperation with their security apparatus. This threat comes weeks after the kidnapping of dozens of employees from the U.S. embassy in Sana’a and various relief organizations, alongside heightened security measures. July 2
• The Houthi group kidnapped three girls in Amran Governorate for working as singers, accusing them of practicing a forbidden profession. The girls were forced to sign a pledge to not return to that profession. July 7

The National Authority for Prisoners and Abductees announced that the Houthi group has issued 145 death sentences against civilian abductees in their prisons, with nine of these sentences already carried out. July 25

• The United Nations Migration Organization announced that nearly 10,000 Yemenis have been displaced since the beginning of 2024 due to the ongoing conflict. According to tracking data, 1,622 families (equaling 9,732 individuals) have been displaced, so far, to June 29, 2024. Also, 43 families (equaling 342 individuals) were displaced just from June 23 to 29, for security and economic reasons. July 1
• A boat carrying 45 refugees and migrants sank off the coast of Taiz due to strong winds and overloading, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. July 25

The Houthi group gave the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) three days to close its office in Sana’a without providing an explanation. This demand is part of a series of violations, including kidnapping employees from international and local organizations and imposing restrictions on the work of these organizations. July 29

• The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem reported that it acquired the largest collection — 60,000 items — of Yemeni Jewish manuscripts. This collection was donated by the family of Yemenite Jew Yehuda Levi Nahum (1915-1998), according to Abdullah Mohsen, an expert specializing in tracking looted Yemeni manuscripts. July 13
• Every year in mid-July, the city of Mukalla hosts the annual Al-Balda Tourist Festival. This event features popular dances and Hadrami folklore songs, showcasing the Hadrami coast’s rich heritage. The festival beautifully blends ancient traditions with contemporary culture, offering stunning artistic performances despite the challenging economic and political conditions. July 15

The “Conflict and Environment Observatory” announced the detection of a 220-kilometer-long oil slick in the Red Sea, following a Houthi attack on the oil tanker Chios Leon. The Yemeni government condemned the attack, warning of an impending environmental disaster that could affect fishing, ports and water desalination. July 18

41 cases of violations of Freedom of the Press in Yemen during the first half of 2024:

Responsible parties:

• Houthi group: 44%
• Legitimate government: 40%
• US forces: 5%
• Egyptian authorities: 5%
• German company: 2%
• Social media activists: 2%

Types of violations:

• 11 cases of threats and incitement
• 8 cases of detention of freedom
• 7 attacks
• 6 blocking and confiscation incidents
• 6 trials
• 2 salary suspensions
• 1 deportation

Source: Yemeni Journalists Syndicate