SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties said that a report published in Al-Watan newspaper (issue 8900, 2 February 2026) alleging secret security arrangements and alliances between the UAE and the Houthi group—suspected of involvement in assassinations targeting senior Yemeni military leaders—highlights once again the depth of the accountability crisis in the country and underscores the urgent need to establish an independent international inquiry capable of uncovering the truth and identifying those responsible.

The organization added that the gravity of these allegations lies not only in the potential crimes, which may amount to extrajudicial killings, but also in indications of complex coordination networks that extend beyond local actors. Such dynamics threaten the foundations of justice and entrench a dangerous pattern of impunity. SAM emphasized that targeting military figures as part of secret political or security arrangements—if proven—represents a serious violation of the right to life and undermines any efforts to rebuild state institutions based on the rule of law.

SAM stressed that these developments come at a time when the judicial process for secret prisons and enforced disappearances remains undefined, lacking sufficient transparency and independence, raising serious doubts about the ability of national mechanisms to conduct effective investigations or provide justice for victims. The continued judicial ambiguity, coupled with the presence of individuals suspected of serious violations in positions of influence, makes it difficult to envision genuine accountability without specialized international support.

Tawfiq Al-Humaidi, Chair of SAM, stated:
"The information in the report indicates the extreme complexity of the conflict in Yemen and confirms that the time for accountability has come. An independent, transparent investigation into all matters reported by the newspaper, as well as other violations including assassinations and enforced disappearances, is no longer optional—it is essential to ensure that perpetrators do not escape justice and that victims’ rights are upheld, moving the discourse from media disputes to real accountability."

SAM also noted that reports of torture to extract forced confessions, if verified, constitute a flagrant violation of international law, particularly the Convention Against Torture, which prohibits such practices absolutely. The organization warned that using sectarian rhetoric to justify crimes or shield perpetrators threatens social cohesion and deepens divisions at a time when Yemen needs mechanisms to strengthen national unity, not policies that reproduce conflict.

Given the complex security landscape, regional interference, and repeated unresolved assassinations, SAM stressed the necessity of establishing a neutral international investigative mechanism with the technical expertise and capacity to access evidence, analyze chains of command, track patterns of support, and ensure protection for witnesses and victims. Such a mechanism is no longer a political option but a legal imperative to safeguard the right to truth and prevent the destruction of evidence.

SAM called on the United Nations, particularly the Human Rights Council, to respond seriously to these allegations and support a transparent international investigation that identifies both individual and institutional responsibility without selectivity. All parties were urged to fully cooperate with independent investigations and refrain from any actions that could obstruct justice or compromise evidence.

SAM concluded that the absence of accountability endangers not only victims but also increases the risk of recurring violations and undermines prospects for sustainable peace. Uncovering the truth in cases of assassinations and secret prisons is a crucial step toward restoring public trust and ending the prolonged cycles of violence in Yemen.