Eight Fishermen Fall Victim to a Double-Strike Attack on the Al-Kadha Coast; Saudi Bombardment Pursues Survivors to Their Deaths

Statement by the Entisaf Organization regarding the Saudi-led coalition’s targeting of fishermen on the Al-Kadha coast in Taiz, affirming that the killing of civilians constitutes a full-fledged war crime.

Sanaa – October 20, 2026

The Entisaf Organization for Women and Child Rights condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the horrific crime committed by the Saudi-led coalition’s air forces, which targeted two fishing boats with airstrikes off the coast of Al-Kadha, in the coastal district of Dhubab, Taiz Governorate. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of eight civilian fishermen—an act that reveals a persistent determination to target civilians and their livelihoods, in violation of the humanitarian and legal principles designed to ensure their protection under all circumstances.

The organization emphasizes that the deliberate decision to strike the fishermen who had survived the initial attack—as they attempted to flee and reach safety in another boat—resulting in the death of all of them, represents a highly dangerous escalation. This raises serious concerns regarding the intentional targeting of civilians who were clearly in a state of incapacity to engage in combat, necessitating a rigorous and independent investigation into the circumstances of this crime and the prosecution of those responsible.

The organization further notes that targeting fishermen while they are engaged in their civilian livelihood—thereby depriving them of their right to life and safety—constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the principles of distinction and proportionality. Such an act amounts to a war crime that warrants legal accountability, based on the findings of an investigation and the available evidence. The organization warns of the humanitarian repercussions resulting from the continued targeting of fishermen along the Yemeni coast. These crimes go beyond the loss of life; they destroy the livelihoods of Yemeni families, exacerbate their daily hardships, and deprive women and children of their breadwinners—the very source of their basic necessities—all amidst an already dire humanitarian and economic situation.

Entisaf Organization holds those responsible for these attacks accountable—both legally and humanely—and calls for an independent, transparent international investigation into these crimes. It demands that all perpetrators be held to account, ensuring they do not escape justice. Furthermore, it urges the implementation of urgent measures to protect fishermen and civilians along the Yemeni coast, and calls for an end to the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the means by which citizens earn their living. The organization also calls upon the international community, the United Nations, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to break their silence, fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities regarding the crimes committed against civilians in Yemen, work to provide the necessary protection, and ensure that such violations do not recur.

Issued by: Entisaf Organization for Women and Child Rights

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