Saudi Arabia Accused of Using “Explosive Weapons” Against Migrants in Yemen: HRW Report.
- Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Allegations of Lethal Force Against Migrants by Saudi Arabia.
In the backdrop of Yemen’s escalating conflict, the United Nations has termed the situation one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Recent reports from Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlight a concerning development in this crisis: Saudi Arabia is alleged to have employed “explosive weapons” against Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross the Yemeni border into the Gulf nation, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives over the past year.
HRW researcher Nadia Hardman stated that Saudi officials are engaging in these actions in the remote border area, effectively hidden from global attention.
The use of force against vulnerable migrants has drawn attention, especially given Saudi Arabia’s high-profile investments in international sports and entertainment. HRW cautioned against these investments diverting attention from the “horrendous crimes” occurring at the border.
HRW has long documented abuses against Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. However, the latest reports point to a disturbing pattern of abuse that could potentially qualify as crimes against humanity. UN experts had previously noted “concerning allegations” of lethal incidents involving Saudi security forces in the vicinity of the southern Saudi Arabia-northern Yemen border during the first four months of 2022, resulting in the deaths of approximately 430 migrants.
Despite these allegations, Saudi authorities have not responded to requests for comment from international media outlets. HRW’s attempts to engage Saudi interior and defense ministries, the human rights commission, and Huthi rebels who control northern Yemen have also reportedly gone unanswered.
Yemen’s ongoing war, which saw Saudi officials mobilizing a coalition in 2015 to counter the Huthis’ control over Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, has plunged the nation into a dire humanitarian crisis. The situation has worsened significantly despite a truce initiated in April 2022, which, although officially expired since October of the same year, has largely held.
The HRW report drew from interviews with 38 Ethiopian migrants who had attempted to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen. The report cited 28 incidents involving “explosive weapons,” including mortar attacks. Shockingly, survivors’ accounts recounted instances of close-range attacks, with Saudi border guards allegedly asking migrants which body part they preferred to be shot in.
The report painted a grim picture of migrants’ suffering, describing scenes of extreme horror, including severely injured, dismembered, and deceased individuals scattered across the rugged landscape. A 20-year-old Ethiopian woman recounted how Saudi border guards had fired on a group of migrants they had recently released from custody, leaving behind a tragic trail of casualties.
HRW has urgently called upon Saudi Arabia to review and rescind any policies endorsing the use of lethal force against migrants and asylum seekers. Additionally, the organization has appealed to the United Nations to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the alleged incidents of violence and loss of life at the border.
As the international community grapples with this escalating crisis, attention remains focused on Saudi Arabia’s actions and the call for justice for the victims.