Yemen: Houthi Escalations Displace over 3,800

Arab World

February 5th, 10:00am

Aden - Sanaa - Asharq Al-Awsat

IDPs displaced by the Houthi escalation in a camp near Hajjah (AFP)

A UN report revealed that recent military escalations by Houthi militias in Nihm, Al Jawf, and Marib caused the displacement of more than 3,800 Yemeni families who were forced to flee towards safe areas. Following a 10-month lull in hostilities, fighting broke out in mid-January on several frontlines, including Nihm district in Sanaa governorate, Sirwah in Marib governorate, and Al Maton in Al Jawf, the report said. Initial reports indicate that as of February 3, 3,825 families had been displaced across Sanaa, Marib and Al Jawf governorates, it added. Those displaced are in critical need of shelter and non-food items, health assistance, and water, sanitation and hygiene and protection services, and some are reported to be living in the open. Partners are responding, though access is restricted because of ongoing clashes in some areas. The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), providing a standard relief package that includes food, hygiene materials and other essential items, has been activated and RRM kits have been provided to more than 1,549 new internally displaced people (IDPs) since 22 January. Humanitarian partners are mobilizing resources across all three governorates and, in collaboration with the Executive Unit, have set up an Emergency Coordination Committee to coordinate the response in Marib. In Sanaa and Al Jawf, coordination is led by regional teams, supported by the central Operations Center. Meanwhile, Houthis, according to local Yemeni sources, cut all communications in Al Jawf governorate. This coincided with the Iran-backed group waging intense attacks in an attempt to control new areas in the governorate. Houthis also continued mounting a campaign of raids and arrests in Sanaa, confiscating money and homes of civilians and forcing residents to provide food and aid for the benefit of militias on the frontlines. The insurgents had admitted earlier of kidnapping 125 people in 2019 in Sanaa alone. Those taken were charged with allegiance to the internationally-recognized government.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2116336/yemen-houthi-escalations-displace-over-3800