A/HRC/42/CRP.1 from seeking treatment. 182 Both parties to the conflict requested that hospital staff deny treatment to injured combatants from the other party to the conflict.183 After the Resistance withdrew from Lahij province, in May 2015, Houthi-Saleh fighters had full control of the perimeter surrounding the hospital and supervised movements in and out of the hospital. They arrested one hospital staff member and subsequently released him. During that period, the hospital functioned with very limited capabilities. 184 Occupation of Hospitals 166. Houthi-Saleh fighters also occupied hospital buildings, preventing civilian access to essential medical care and endangering the existing medical infrastructure. As noted above, (para 163), in April 2015, when Houthi-Saleh fighters took control of several locations in Craiter district, they deployed around the People’s Obstetrician Hospital. The hospital closed because of the fighting and medical personnel fled. Houthi-Saleh fighters established a military base and deployed military vehicles and snipers into the premises of the hospital. They also used the building as a transit detention facility where they held members of the Resistance.185 According to a medical authority, following the closure of the obstetrician hospital, patients were transferred to unqualified clinics, which led to the death of women and small children.186 Houthi-Saleh fighters also took over the Military Hospital in alTowaihi and the General Hospital of al-Musaymir. Both hospitals had been evacuated by the time the Houthis occupied them.187 Restrictions on free access to medical care and safe passage of medical supplies 167. During the 2015 offensive in Aden, doctors, nurses, personnel of health institutions and patients had difficulties in reaching the functional medical facilities due to generalized insecurity, fighting, lack of transportation, and checkpoints. There was an overall shortage of medicine. Residents of al-Musaymir reported that during their control of Lahij province, Houthi-Saleh fighters restricted movement of civilians across the checkpoint, including blocking two sick persons who attempted to travel to Aden to seek emergency medical treatment. Both died due to a lack of appropriate medical care. 188 Houthi-Saleh fighters based at the Shaikh Othman checkpoint at the entrance to Aden prohibited large groups of civilians from entering Aden, including sick people attempting to reach hospitals in Aden.189 In June, Houthi-Saleh fighters prevented the transportation of medicine into Aden at the checkpoint in al-Fyoush, in Lahij province.190 Violations 168. Under international humanitarian law, medical personnel and facilities – already protected given their civilian status – are awarded special protection. Accordingly, medical personnel must be respected and protected in all circumstances.191 The same protection extends to medical units and medical transportation, which shall be respected and protected 182 Confidential Sources on File. Also see: Human Rights Watch, Yemen: Fighting damages hospital” April 2015. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/17/yemen-fighting-damageshospital. 183 Confidential Sources on File. 184 Confidential Sources on File. “Report on the Human Rights Violations in the South Committed by the Houthi Militias and Forces of the Yemeni Army Loyal to the Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh”, Centre for Public Opinion Studies and Social Research (Madar), Aden 2015. 185 Confidential Sources on File. 186 Confidential Sources on File. 187 Confidential Sources on File. 188 Confidential Sources on File. 189 Confidential Sources on File. 190 Confidential Sources on File. Also see: Centre for Public Opinion Studies and Social Research (Madar), “Report on the Human Rights Violations in the South Committed by the Houthi, Militias and Forces of the Yemeni Army Loyal to the Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh”, Aden 2015. 191 Art. 9(1) Additional Protocol II. 39