Report: Houthis Force Families of Sarif Explosion Victims into Silence and Secret Burials

Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has reported that the Houthi group forced families of victims from the arms depot explosion in the Sarif neighborhood, northeast of Sana’a, to bury their loved ones in extreme secrecy. They were also prevented from holding mourning ceremonies or speaking to the media.

The network stated in its report that the burials took place under tight security surveillance in scattered cemeteries outside the capital, with any gathering of relatives or journalists prohibited. The number of victims and their identities were not disclosed.

It clarified that the group imposed a media blackout on the incident, continuing to withhold information regarding the explosion’s causes and the extent of the damage.

The human rights network described the secrecy and prohibition of mourning as an “additional crime” added to the Houthis’ record of violations against civilians. It called for an independent investigation into the incident, the disclosure of the victims’ fates, and compensation for their families.

Last week, the Sarif neighborhood in Sana’a witnessed a violent explosion at a warehouse believed to contain Houthi ammunition and explosives, resulting in over 50 casualties, including women and children. The incident sparked international calls for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible for storing weapons in residential areas, a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

At the time, the American Center for Justice (ACJ) called for an urgent investigation to determine the circumstances of both incidents and hold implicated Houthi leaders accountable. It also emphasized the necessity of clearing residential areas of arms depots to ensure the protection of civilian lives and prevent the recurrence of such disasters.