Human Rights Watch Reports Houthi Attacks on Commercial Vessels Likely Constitute War Crimes
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has stated that recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden likely amount to war crimes in at least three instances. These attacks followed a July 20 announcement by the Houthis to impose a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, in response to what they claim is a Saudi sea and air blockade on Yemen. The targeted vessels included at least two Saudi-flagged ships, one Tanzania-flagged vessel, and one Dominica-flagged vessel. HRW reviewed data from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and vessel tracking websites, along with photographs and videos, to corroborate the details of the attacks. The organization also contacted the companies operating the attacked vessels—Bihar International Company (for Daisy and Encelia), Bahri (for Amzan), and Thubab for Marine Services (for Tihamah)—but received no responses. International humanitarian law protects civilians and civilian objects from attack, requiring parties to a conflict to confirm...
