Sanaa, (EFE).- Yemen’s Houthi rebels accused forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday of executing Houthi members captured during Monday’s clashes on the Yemeni coast near the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the southern Red Sea.
The National Human Rights Authority, controlled by the Houthis, stated in a press release that several Houthi members were shot and run over by armored vehicles belonging to pro-government troops after being captured during Monday’s fighting.
The Houthi authority described the alleged executions as “war crimes” and demanded an “international investigation.”
The accusation follows the circulation of several videos on social media showing armored vehicles running over men in desert areas or on the coast, apparently near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Some of the men in the footage appeared to be armed and on the move, while others appeared unarmed, some sitting on the ground, crouching, or lying down, as gunfire could be heard and military vehicles advanced and ran them over.
The Houthi authorities held the Saudi-led military coalition, which provides military support to the recognized government, “legally and criminally” responsible for the alleged executions. They also called on the United Nations to launch an “urgent and transparent” investigation into the incident.
The Houthi authority also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross to document the treatment of prisoners and present evidence to the International Criminal Court.
These accusations come amid the «Dawn of Yemen» offensive launched by pro-government forces to retake areas under Houthi control, including the capital, Sanaa, and to restore state institutions after 12 years of war that have divided and devastated the Arab country.
As of Monday, forces loyal to the recognized government announced significant advances along the western coast and claimed to have regained control of Bab al-Mandab and the port of Mokha.
The Saudi-led coalition has not yet responded to the allegations or commented on the circulating videos.
On Tuesday, the National Shield Forces, loyal to Yemen’s recognized government and operating along the coast, released instructions via their channels directing their troops to treat prisoners humanely and comply with «religious, ethical, and legal» standards. EFE
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