Marib Local Authority Holds Houthis Responsible for Targeting IDP Camps

The Marib Local Authority has held the Iran-backed Houthi militias fully responsible for targeting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and residential neighborhoods in Marib city, describing the attack as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

In a statement issued Friday, the local authority said Marib city came under a missile attack in the morning of August 7, carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militias using a number of ballistic missiles and drones.

The authority said the attack targeted several IDP camps as well as residential neighborhoods across the city, killing two people and injuring 14 others, including women and children.

It said the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and defenseless displaced people clearly reflects what it described as the group’s criminal approach based on violence, terrorism and targeting civilians, adding that the latest attack further adds to the group’s “bloody record.”

The local authority stressed that repeated attacks against displaced people constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It called on the United Nations and human rights and humanitarian organizations to take a clear and firm position, investigate the attack and hold those responsible accountable.

The statement also called on the United Nations, human rights and humanitarian organizations, and the international community at large to fulfill their legal and humanitarian responsibilities to protect civilians and displaced people. It held the Iran-backed Houthi militias fully responsible for the crimes and their resulting humanitarian consequences.

The authority stressed the need to document and investigate the attack, hold those responsible and those behind them accountable, and take urgent and effective measures to ensure the necessary protection of civilians and displaced people in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The Marib Local Authority further affirmed that the attacks would not undermine the resilience or steadfastness of the people and residents of Marib, nor deter them from maintaining their national positions. It said they would continue to confront challenges with solidarity, responsibility and steadfastness.

In the full statement, the local authority said the Houthis’ continued attacks on civilians and populated areas demonstrate an escalating pattern of targeting civilians and IDP camps.

It reiterated its call on the international community, the United Nations, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to fulfill their legal and humanitarian responsibilities, take a clear and firm position, condemn the attacks, document and investigate the crimes, hold those responsible and those behind them accountable, and take urgent and effective measures to provide the necessary protection in accordance with international humanitarian law.