Taiz rights network condemns Saudi targeting of civilians, livelihoods in Al-Maafar

The Taiz Network for Rights and Freedoms has strongly condemned the continued targeting by Saudi forces of civilians, civilian objects and sources of livelihood in Taiz Province.

In a statement, the network affirmed on Tuesday that the continued attacks are worsening the humanitarian catastrophe and forcing residents to flee and face displacement.

The network noted that its field-monitoring teams documented airstrikes on Al-Kadha area in Al-Maafar district on Monday, which killed four civilians, including three women and an elderly man, and injured three others to varying degrees.

The strikes also destroyed homes and citizens’ farms, killed livestock, damaged honeybee apiaries and affected other sources of livelihood.

The statement emphasized that the gravity of the incident extends beyond the immediate loss of life to threaten the means of survival and agricultural and livestock production, describing attacks on residents’ livelihoods as a threat to their humanitarian stability and a driver of further waves of internal displacement.

The network’s statement pointed out that targeting civilian objects and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a serious breach of the principles of distinction and proportionality. It maintained that such acts constitute war crimes and are not subject to a statute of limitations.

The statement held the Saudi regime fully criminally and legally responsible for the incident and all violations and crimes committed against the Yemeni people and their infrastructure since March 2015.

It called on the United Nations, the Human Rights Council and relevant international organizations to take firm measures to protect civilians, bring those responsible to justice and prevent impunity.

The statement concluded by reaffirming that its field teams would continue monitoring, documenting and verifying violations for inclusion in criminal case files before international courts and bodies.