Civilians, Hospitals Attacked; Schools Occupied
(Sanaa) – The Houthi armed group and the Yemeni armed forces’ Sixth Regional Command appear to have committed violations of the laws of war during fighting in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, from September 17-21, 2014. The government should investigate alleged violations by both sides and appropriately punish those responsible.
Human Rights Watch documented six incidents that resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to 15 others. In two of the incidents, fighters appeared to have unlawfully targeted civilians. In other incidents, two hospitals came under attack.
“Civilians and hospitals were attacked during the fighting in Sanaa in September,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director. “The belligerent forces also failed to take adequate steps to protect civilians from the fighting.”
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The fighting included two attacks on a hospital near the Sixth Regional Command headquarters and an attack by an unidentified force on another hospital. Hospitals are specially protected from attack under the laws of war and forces should avoid deploying near them. Houthi forces shelled the national TV broadcasting building, which would be an unlawful attack unless the station were being used to relay military communications or for other military purposes.
The full article continues at http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/11/18/yemen-civilian-toll-fighting-capital on Human Rights Watch’s website.