Rights Group Reports Serious Human Rights Violations in Aden

A report by Journalists Without Chains has documented serious human rights violations in Aden during the first five months of 2026, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killings, and abuses against children.

The organization said 12 illegal prisons and detention centers remain outside judicial oversight, while dozens of enforced disappearance cases dating back more than a decade remain unresolved.

It also reported a rise in assassinations, organized violence, and unlawful detentions carried out by armed factions, warning of deep shortcomings in security and law-enforcement institutions.

The report highlighted acts of severe sexual abuse against children and expressed concern over continued restrictions on freedom of expression, humanitarian activities, and peaceful assembly in the city.

Aden has served as the seat of Saudi-backed authorities since the outbreak of the aggression, but has remained fragmented among rival armed groups aligned with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Repeated attempts to consolidate control under a unified administration have faltered amid disputes over power-sharing, security arrangements, and economic management, leaving residents exposed to recurrent instability and service breakdowns.