Houthi Gunmen Assassinate Tribal Sheikh Inside Mosque; Rights Group Expresses Outrage
YEMEN MONITOR / NEWSROOM:
The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms issued a scathing condemnation today following the assassination of tribal leader Sheikh Hizam al-Aji al-Mansouri by Houthi-affiliated gunmen. The killing took place inside the Al-Dira’ village mosque in the Al-Sharya district of Al-Bayda governorate.
According to a statement released by the network, the assailants detonated a hand grenade in the mosque’s courtyard before opening fire on the victim. The rights group described the incident as a “flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship” and a breach of fundamental international humanitarian and human rights laws.
“Targeting civilians within mosques is a grave offense that amounts to a war crime,” the statement read. “This reflects a systematic pattern of violence and intimidation designed to erode civil peace and terrorize local communities.”
The network held the Houthi movement fully legally responsible for the assassination, demanding a transparent, independent investigation to ensure that both the perpetrators and those who incited the attack are held accountable under international standards.
The organization concluded by calling on the international community and United Nations human rights bodies to intervene, urging immediate protections for civilians and religious sites across Yemen to prevent further impunity.
