A/HRC/42/CRP.1 measures to reach a specific military aim, as referred to in the proportionality assessment described above, and the fact that they have not been lifted despite the obvious and devastating impact on the civilian population, tends to indicate that their purpose might also have been directed towards pressurizing the civilian population, which may imply a punitive aspect. In particular, the fact that no container, except for one, could until the time of writing enter the port of al-Hudaydah since the blockade was imposed in 2017, and the fact that the military aim sought might already be fulfilled by the inspection by EHOC, does suggest some punitive intent. This element would nevertheless need to be further investigated. The same reasoning is valid for examined cases of siege-like warfare, where access restrictions are imposed by the Houthis (Ta’izz and Hajjah) and by the Yemeni armed forces (al-Durayhimi). 781. The access restrictions mentioned above – i.e. the blockade and other measures taken by the coalition and siege-like situations enforced by both the Houthis and the Yemeni armed forces – have significantly impeded humanitarian operations, considerably restricting the movement of relief personnel or supplies into or within Yemen. In view of this impact, the Group of Experts has reasonable grounds to believe that the parties to the conflict, in imposing such closures, are violating their obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. This obligation has also been violated by other restrictions, such as bureaucratic constraints and interference in humanitarian operations. 6. Further humanitarian access restrictions 782. In conflict situations, security grounds are often used to justify restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. In Yemen, military operations and ongoing hostilities only account for a small proportion of access incidents (around five to six per cent).1249 While shifting frontlines may be particularly problematic in certain districts, in other districts, humanitarian access is mainly impacted by bureaucratic restrictions. 1250 These include denials or delays in the delivery of visas, residency permits, and travel permits by both the Government of Yemen and the de facto authorities. The refusal or delay by both the Government of Yemen and the de facto authorities to sign sub-agreements is another major impediment to relief operations. 783. All parties were also responsible for delays in approving and clearing imports and movement of essential equipment. Clearance requirements put in place by the coalition in December 2018 for humanitarian movement also significantly delayed proceedings at the Dhubab checkpoint in Ta’izz.1251 Significant delays were further registered in October 2018, when new clearance procedures were issued in Sana’a. On the road between Aden and al-Hudaydah, clearances at Ibb Customs Houses have also been posing significant challenges and costly delays.1252 784. In addition to imposing onerous restrictions on aid workers, the de facto authorities have confiscated food and medical supplies.1253 Interference by the de facto authorities in humanitarian operations is pervasive. 1254 In March 2019, the de facto authorities ordered all international NGOs operating in the district of Hajjah to relocate in Hajjah city (see chapter on Sana’a and other areas under control of the de facto authorities, section on Hajjah). In June 2019, OCHA reported how multiple international NGOs were forced by the de facto 1249 See bi-monthly OCHA Yemen Humanitarian Access Snapshots as published on www.reliefweb.int. 1250 OCHA, Humanitarian Response Plan 2019, February 2019, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2019_Yemen_HRP_V21.pdf 1251 For example, between 21 and 24 February 2019, 21 United Nations contracted trucks with food aid were blocked at the Dhubab checkpoint in Taizz because the coalition required a proof of deconfliction (despite the fact that deconfliction is a voluntary system). 1252 On 15 February 2019, 30 United Nations trucks transporting perishable medical supplies from Aden to Al Hudaydah were impounded by the Customs House in Ibb. 1253 Human Rights Watch, “Yemen: Events of 2018”, World Report 2019, available at https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/yemen. 1254 Ibid. 187