Entesaf Condemns the Escalation of Saudi Aggression and the Targeting of Civilians and Civilian Objects in Yemeni Provinces

On Sep 23, 2026

Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights strongly condemns the ongoing escalation of Saudi aggression against several Yemeni provinces, which over the past hours has involved airstrikes as well as artillery and missile shelling targeting populated areas, homes, farms, and civilian facilities in the provinces of Hudaydah, Taiz, Saada, and Hajjah, amid the continued aggression and blockade imposed on Yemen for 12 years.

According to information received over the past 24 hours, the escalation has resulted in the killing and injury of more than 30 civilians, most of them women and children, in addition to direct damage to homes, farms, and civilian facilities. In Hudaydah, two farms in Al-Tuhayta and Al-Munirah were targeted, resulting in the destruction of facilities, equipment, and a building used by workers. In Taiz, a home and Al-Najdain School in Haifan District were targeted, while the border areas of Razih District in Saada were subjected to more than 45 shells and missiles, causing damage to civilians’ homes and farms, in addition to shelling in areas of Shada District. In Hajjah, an airstrike targeted Mustaba, while artillery shelling struck the border areas of Bakil Al-Mir and Haradh.

Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights affirms that the targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, the terrorization of civilian families, and the targeting, destruction, or damaging of civilian objects and facilities constitute war crimes and grave violations that cannot be justified or tolerated. Such acts represent a flagrant breach of the rules and principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality and the explicit obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects from attack. They are also inconsistent with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, Additional Protocol I of 1977, and international rules guaranteeing the protection of civilians.

Such acts also constitute serious violations of the right to life and physical integrity guaranteed under international human rights law, placing civilians’ lives at direct risk. This requires serious and transparent investigations, the prosecution and accountability of all those responsible for these crimes, and guarantees that they will not enjoy impunity under any pretext or circumstance.

The Organization warns of the continued Saudi aggression amid the Yemeni people’s ongoing suffering for 12 years as a result of the aggression and blockade, which have posed persistent threats to civilian lives and exacerbated the humanitarian and health situation, particularly for women and children. The Organization stresses that protecting civilians and civilian objects is a legal obligation that must not be neglected or violated under any justification.

The Organization calls on the international community, the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities, work to highlight the plight of the Yemeni people and their suffering over the past 12 years, and shed light on the killing, injury, displacement, destruction, and humanitarian and health suffering endured by civilians. It further calls for these violations not to be ignored or addressed through double standards.

The Organization also urges the international community to exert the necessary pressure to halt the Saudi aggression, launch independent and transparent investigations into crimes committed against the Yemeni people, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with international law, in a manner that provides justice for victims and their families and guarantees that perpetrators of aggression-related crimes do not enjoy impunity.

Entesaf Organization further renews its call for the immediate protection of the Yemeni people, particularly women and children, ensuring their safety and preventing their exposure to Saudi aggression. It calls for respect for the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and for serious international measures to halt the Saudi aggression that has targeted civilians and civilian objects for 12 years and to hold those responsible for violations committed against the Yemeni people accountable.

Issued by:Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights

23 September 2026