By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’NA, Yemen – As intense fighting continues in northern Yemen, local government officials have accused al-Huthi rebels of using civilians as human shields.

The government urged people living in the area to flee to refugee camps set up throughout the area. The Yemeni government has set up four refugee camps.  However, SABA, Yemen’s official news agency, reported that the pathways to these safe havens have been dangerous due to escalations in the conflict.  The Supreme Security Council (SSC), which supervises the 63-day war, responded to repeated calls for safe corridors by attempting securing passage to the respective camps.

In past reports, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that both the rebels and government forces have endangered civilians during the fighting. In a July report, HRW said researchers found “allegations of serious law of war violations by both sides, including the use of children under 18 in combat, use of anti-personnel land mines in civilian areas, and taking civilians hostage.”

The current accusations by the Yemeni government echo the claims made by the president Ali Abdullah Saleh that rebels have been using civilians as human shields and killing civilians.   Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Huthi responded by dismissing demands that the rebels leaving their mountain hideouts as this would amount to them leaving their lands. Furthermore, the rebels say they want autonomy and accuse Saleh of despotism and corruption in a drive to in power.  They also accuse him of introducing Sunni fundamentalism via his relationship with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Military developments as of October 11 have been relatively quiet.  However, there have been air strikes on the rebels’ fortifications and supply movements, according to sources from the ground. The Ministry of Defense also reported that about 20 rebels were killed in different places in the two main frontlines of Harf Sufyan and al-Malahaid.

For more information please see:

CNN – Yemen Government: Rebels Use Civilians As Human Shields – 13 October 2009

Yemen Observer – Yemen Accuses Al-Houthi Rebels of Using Civilians as Human Shields – 13 October  2009

Reuters – Yemen President Says Rebels Use “Human Shields” – 20 September 2009