Huthis attacks on the Red Sea may constitute war crimes

The denunciation of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) comes in the midst of a new campaign of attacks on navigation, following the maritime embargo imposed by the insurgents, who control Saná, the capital of Yemen, and large areas of the north and west of the country, on July 20, against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.

The Huthis justified the action in response to the air and sea restrictions imposed by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia – a military alliance created to support the internationally recognized Yemeni Government – to the rebel-controlled areas in Yemen, as well as Saudi bombings at Sana airport.

HRW reports at least three attacks that can be considered war crimes against cargo ships with flags from Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and Dominica, as they intentionally endangered the lives of civilian crew members.

Among the most serious incidents is the ballistic missile attack against the Tihamah cargo ship, which killed six people — four Pakistani and Indonesian sailors and two members of the Yemeni Coast Guard — and wounded another 10.

Although the Huthis claimed that the ship was carrying military equipment, HRW pointed out that “they did not provide any evidence” and reiterated that the launch of a disproportionate attack against a civilian-manned vessel violates international law.

The NGO also verified missile and drone attacks against Encelia, Daisy and Amzan oil tankers as well as against the NCC Mass ship, although no deaths have been reported in these cases.

“ Regardless of the geopolitical situation, attacks on civilian crews, carried out deliberately or by negligence, are war crimes,” said Niku Jafarnia, HRW investigator for Yemen.