The Yemen Network for Rights and Freedoms has announced that it has recorded nearly 59,000 civilian deaths and injuries in the country since 2015, resulting from gunfire, bombings and landmines attributed to the Houthis.
According to a recent report by the organization, a total of 58,904 civilians were killed or injured as a result of actions by the Iran-backed group between January 2015 and the first half of this year.
Of these, 17,115 were killed, including 1,414 women and 1,156 children, while 41,789 were injured, including 6,710 women and 5,024 children.
The toll from landmines is particularly severe. According to the report, 1,637 people were killed and 6,135 injured by Houthi landmines. Of those injured, 798 suffered permanent disabilities, including 397 children.
The Network notes that the figures illustrate the scale of the human toll suffered by Yemen’s civilian population during the years of war, as well as the continuing threat posed by landmines, which endanger lives and prevent residents from safely returning to their communities.
At the same time, it is calling on the international community, the United Nations and countries with significant influence to take immediate and concrete action rather than limiting themselves to condemnations and expressions of concern.
It is calling for pressure to be brought to bear on the Houthis to comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, protect civilians, and refrain from using populated areas and civilian facilities for military purposes.
The Network further emphasizes that continued impunity encourages the repetition of crimes and that sustainable peace in Yemen cannot be achieved without justice, accountability, reparations and redress for victims.
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