A/HRC/42/CRP.1 Hajour conflict. In addition to the very limited media coverage from the region, communication issues and security considerations put a great limitation on the ability of the Group of Experts to operate. Telecommunications were heavily affected by the conflict in Hajjah. For civilians who stayed in the area, they recurrently expressed fears of engaging with the Group of Experts, which sometimes chose not to engage with witnesses for fear of putting them at further risk. Despite these challenges to investigations, the Group of Experts was able to obtain a glimpse into the lives of people in the area, the risks they face by remaining, and the impact that the closure of the area had on Hajour and its civilian population. (c) Allegations of targeting of civilian objects and indiscriminate shelling 457. The Group of Experts received wide-ranging reports727 that Houthi fighters used indiscriminate shelling and weapons described by witnesses as “heavy”, including midrange missiles, and explosives, in populated areas during the armed confrontations in different parts of Hajour, including Abbaysah. The Group received numerous allegations of explosives being used by the Houthis to target civilian homes during their takeover of villages, sometimes after houses had emptied728 or after the family had tried to “defend the house.”729 458. The Group examined information regarding approximately 25 houses that had been allegedly blown up by the Houthis using improvised explosive devices or explosive weapons, as well as one school and one mosque.730 In addition, the Group of Experts documented an incident731 of an explosion targeting a civilian house in the village of Abbaysah, after its owners had fled. The house was reportedly targeted by Houthis because its owner was a prominent figure in the area.732 Political and tribal figures interviewed by the Group repeatedly referred to a pattern of “revenge” against the population of Hajour for past grievances.733 Investigations into further allegations of indiscriminate shelling, explosions and targeting of civilians were not completed by the time of finalization of this report due to time and access restraints. 459. It is worth recalling that direct attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are prohibited under international humanitarian law.734 (d) Restrictions on freedom of movement, entry of essential supplies, and humanitarian aid “We were in a very dire humanitarian situation. We could not get a single drop of water. Days passed without food reaching our houses and villages…” Internally Displaced man from Hajour 460. The conflict in Hajjah was preceded by at least two months of what witnesses and sources described as a “siege”, or the region being an “enclave”, where the Houthis set up checkpoints at the various entry points to Hajour735. People were reportedly asked to show identity cards and were searched by Houthi men on the way in and out of the area. The restrictions on Hajour increased and by the beginning of the military operations inside Hajour, cars were not allowed to enter, goods were transported on donkeys and even those were stopped at times. Water trucks were also stopped from entering the area. According to some sources, the water sources for Hajour were under Houthi control and they allege the 727 Confidential Sources on File. Confidential Sources on File. 729 Confidential Sources on File. 730 Confidential Sources on File. 731 Confidential Sources on File. 732 Confidential Sources on File. 733 Confidential Sources on File. 734 See ICRC Study on customary IHL, rules 1 and 11; see also Art. 13 Additional Protocol II. 735 Confidential Sources on File. 728 114