Entesaf Condemns Saudi Escalation and Targeting of Civilians and Civilian Objects in Saada Governorate

On Sep 24, 2026

Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights strongly condemns the Saudi escalation against Saada Governorate, which over the past hours has involved artillery and missile shelling and airstrikes targeting several areas and districts. The attacks also struck a civilian home in Jabal Al-Ezd, in the border district of Razih, reportedly resulting, according to preliminary information, in the killing of a woman and the injury of a child. In addition, the Al-Hajlah area in the same district was targeted by a missile near a family home, seriously injuring a girl and causing the amputation of her hand. The escalation also included three airstrikes on Maran District, missile shelling targeting the district, and an airstrike targeting a telecommunications network in the center of Qatabir District.

Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights stresses that targeting civilians, particularly women and children, terrorizing civilian families, and targeting, destroying, or damaging homes, civilian objects, and civilian facilities constitute grave violations of the rules and principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality. Such acts are inconsistent with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, Additional Protocol I of 1977, and international rules guaranteeing the protection of civilians. They also constitute serious violations of the right to life and physical integrity protected under international human rights law.

The Organization warns against the continued Saudi aggression and the blockade imposed on the Yemeni people, amid a humanitarian crisis that has persisted for 12 years. The aggression and blockade have posed an ongoing threat to the lives of civilians and exacerbated humanitarian, health, and living conditions, particularly for women and children, while restricting their access to food, medicine, and essential services. The Organization stresses that protecting civilians and civilian objects and ensuring their access to essential humanitarian needs are legal responsibilities that must not be neglected or violated under any pretext.

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 shed light on the suffering of the Yemeni people and their ongoing plight over the past 12 years as a result of the aggression and blockade, and highlight the killing, injuries, destruction, and humanitarian suffering endured by civilians. It further calls for these violations not to be ignored or addressed through double standards, and urges international pressure to end the aggression and lift the blockade, as well as the opening of independent and transparent investigations into crimes and violations committed against the Yemeni people and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with international law, thereby providing justice for victims and their families and preventing perpetrators from enjoying impunity.

Entesaf Organization also renews its call for the immediate protection of the Yemeni people, particularly women and children, ensuring their safety and protecting them from exposure to attacks. It calls for respect for the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and for serious international measures to halt attacks against civilians and civilian objects, lift the blockade, ensure the delivery of aid and essential needs to civilian populations, and hold those responsible for violations committed against the Yemeni people accountable.

Issued by: Entesaf Organization for Women and Child Rights

24 September 2026