Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on civilian facilities in the capital, Sana'a, and Hodeidah governorate early Thursday, December 19, 2024. This escalation represents a serious military threat to civilian lives and targets vital infrastructure in a country experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The organization pointed out that the use of military force against civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, necessitating decisive and effective action from the international community to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law and human rights in Yemen and the region.

According to activists and local media, four airstrikes targeted the Hazeem power station south of the capital, Sana'a, and two airstrikes hit the Dhahban power station north of the capital. Additionally, four strikes targeted the port of Hodeidah, and two struck the Ras Issa oil facility, resulting in the deaths of nine employees at the Ras Issa facility: (1. Abdullah Mukhlis 2. Abdu Ibrahim 3. Awad Sajma 4. Osama Dake 5. Issam Bakri 6. Yahya Alwan 7. Mohammed Zaeem 8. Ali Arouki 9. Ali  Mazjaji), with three others injured. These airstrikes come in response to Houthi attacks by Israel; however, this does not justify in any way the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

SAM considered these assaults to be a blatant violation of international laws, including international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and essential infrastructure. It emphasized that attacks on electricity stations and ports not only affect daily life but also exacerbate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, where people are already suffering from severe shortages of essential services due to ongoing conflict.

The organization pointed out that amid the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Yemen, where over 17 million people face food insecurity, any targeting of vital ports could worsen human suffering. It added that Yemen is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and cannot bear further harm that may result from military actions.

The organization confirmed that these repeated attacks on civilian facilities in Yemen not only reflect a blatant disregard for human rights but also pose a direct threat to the civilian population and represent a systematic targeting of their livelihoods. It emphasized the necessity for all conflicting parties to adhere to international laws, including the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, and called for clear measures to ensure that civilian facilities in the country are not targeted. Furthermore, all necessary steps should be taken to protect human lives and prevent the exacerbation of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

SAM Organization calls on the international community to take a firm stance against Israeli targeting of civilians and civilian objects in Yemen and to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law and human rights in Yemen and the region. The organization demands a clear commitment from major states not to support or assist any country committing serious violations against another state.