Yemen Roundup: Rebel attacks, rights protection, new Russian embassy
UK receives incident report
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported on Thursday, October 10, that an incident occurred 70 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Hodeidah. Authorities are currently investigating the situation. According to the vessel's master, the ship was struck by an unidentified projectile, resulting in damage. However, no fires or casualties were reported. The crew is safe, and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call, The Economic Times reports.
Rebel attacks
Suspected attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea on Thursday, marking a continuation of threats to shipping in the region amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. A projectile struck the vessel, causing damage but no injuries, while additional projectiles fell nearby. According to AP, the rebels have targeted over 80 merchant vessels since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, claiming to focus on ships linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. Despite this, many attacked vessels have no ties to the conflict. The Houthis have previously seized one vessel and sunk two, leading to the deaths of four sailors.
New Russian embassy
Russia will reopen its embassy in Aden, Yemen’s interim capital, in early 2025, nearly a decade after its closure. This move, discussed in a recent meeting in Riyadh, indicates a revival of foreign diplomatic missions in Aden amid increased security following the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council. Russia’s Charge d’Affaires, Evgeny Kudrov, affirmed support for Yemen's internationally recognized government, and officials suggested that other nations, including India and Gulf states, may also establish embassies in Aden. Arab News reports that this announcement comes amid concerns about potential Russian arms negotiations with the Houthi militia and U.S. sanctions on Yemeni MP Hamed Abdullah Hussein Al-Ahmer for his support of Hamas.
Israeli airstrikes kill Yemenis
A Yemeni academic, Dr. Shawqi Alawdi, and his family were among seven people killed in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus on Tuesday night. The strike targeted a building in the Al-Mazzeh neighbourhood and injured 11 others. Alawdi, a pharmacology professor, had lived in Syria for four years and was known for his unique teaching style, Arab News reports. His death elicited condolences from friends and students in Yemen and Syria. Concurrently, the International Federation of Journalists called on the Houthi militia to release Yemeni journalists recently abducted for criticizing the group, part of a broader crackdown on dissent as Yemenis commemorate the 1962 revolution.
Rights protection
At the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Anjila Al Maamari, representing the Justice for Yemen Pact Coalition, highlighted the urgent need for an independent international investigative mechanism to address human rights abuses in Yemen. She emphasised that mere technical capacity is insufficient and called for effective investigations into violations of international law. As highlighted by ISHR, the coalition insists on the importance of impartial inquiries and advocates for the inclusion of victims, particularly women and youth, in peace processes to ensure justice and reparations.
