A/HRC/45/CRP.7 seven-year-old nephew, both of whom were killed by the airstrike. Neighbours also reported hearing the noise of a plane and missiles overhead the same morning of these events.155 121. Despite most of the damage to the Mills being caused by military operations and further investigations being needed to establish the purpose of the other attacks on WFP facilities and the water truck, the Group of Experts considers that, in a situation of such acute food insecurity, the conduct of the parties displays a reckless disregard for the impact of their operations on the civilian population and their access to food and water. 2. The impact of mines on access to food “Poorer communities that always had problems accessing food, now can’t even get to the coast, so they cannot fish” –Yemeni fisherman156 122. The Group is concerned at how the use of mines has exacerbated food insecurity through, for instance, the destruction of fishing vessels when mines explode in the sea, as well as the deterrent effect of the presence and explosion of both land and sea mines, diminishing access to arable lands and other food gathering activities.157 123. In 2018, a sea mine explosion killed three fishers, two men and one woman, from At Tuhayat district, Al-Hudaydah. The fishers were reportedly pulling in a fishing net when the mine exploded, destroying much of the fishing vessel and injuring four persons. Several persons interviewed by the Group expressed concerns about the rise in the number of sea mines reportedly off the coast of Al-Hudaydah.158 Two interviewees reported that the mines cleared from the sea recently were of a homemade nature, some with parts from old explosives. It was also reported that because the sea mines are mobile, the authorities themselves do not know where they are located.159 124. Landmines have prevented fishers from reaching coastal areas to fish, in particular in Al-Hudaydah, where mines riddle the coastal roads. In turn, these restrictions on fishing have affected the availability and price of fish for sale. The presence of landmines has also made many farmers afraid to farm their lands, or let their livestock herd or graze. The Group received reports that many farmers around Al-Hudaydah, especially in the north, have stopped farming because of fear of landmines and the conduct of hostilities more generally.160 There have been reports of children, as well as cows, camels and other livestock, being hurt or killed by landmines.161 All of this has decreased the agricultural opportunities for farmers and devastated an already import-heavy food supply system in which products have become prohibitively expensive.162 125. It has been reported to the Group that the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC)163 involved in the mine clearing process indicated that many mines have been cleared in the Government of Yemen controlled areas of Al-Hudaydah, but that little progress has been made clearing mines in Houthi controlled areas.164 It was also reported that they have not been allowed by Houthi authorities to operate in their areas of control and that the Houthis are actively preventing mine clearing efforts, as well as obstructing the identification of the whereabouts of known, planted mines.165 It was reported that a YEMAC team was diverted from mine clearing efforts and sent out from Al-Hudaydah to Al-Jawf, and on 20 155 Confidential sources on file. Confidential source on file. 157 See also the cases investigated by the Group in Section A (paras. 90-95) of this report. 158 Confidential sources on file. 159 Confidential source on file. 160 Confidential sources on file. 161 Confidential source on file. 162 Confidential sources on file. 163 The Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC), under the National Mine Action Committee (NMAC), is the coordination and implementation body that executes mine action projects, including demining activities. 164 Confidential sources on file. 165 Confidential source on file. 156 37

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