A/HRC/33/38
Jeraf neighborhood, located north of Sana’a city. The so-called ISIS issued a statement
shortly afterwards, claiming responsibility for the attack.
On 16 September 2015 St. Joseph’s Church in Crater District, Aden Governorate, was
reportedly set on fire by unknown armed men. Eyewitnesses told OHCHR that the
crucifixes in the church had been destroyed before the church was set on fire. On 9
December 2015 the Hafon Church, in Aden’s Moa’ala District, was partially destroyed as
result of a bomb that was detonated by four unknown armed men, according to information
gathered by OHCHR. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the perpetrators may be affiliated
with the so-called Islamic State.
Schools and educational facilities
At around 5 AM on 25 July, the Al-Khudairah School and the Vocational Institute, located
in Lawder District in Abyan, incurred partial structural damage when the buildings were hit
by artillery shelling. Eyewitnesses told OHCHR that the shells were launched from Majd
Brigade, in Mount Akaad, which is located approximately 3 kilometers away from the
school, and was reportedly under the control of the Popular Committees affiliated with the
Houthis at the time of the attack.
On 8 August 2015, the al-Qadisiyah School was struck by airstrikes at Haiss District in
Hodeidah Governorate. The school was directly hit with an airstrike which caused
extensive structural damage. OHCHR could not identify any military targets within the
vicinity of the school.
On 24 August 2015, the Asma Bint Abi Bakr Female School, located in Hodeida
Governorate’s al-Mansouria District, was reportedly hit with an airstrike by the Coalition
Forces. Eyewitnesses, including officials from the Ministry of Education, told OHCHR that
they were not aware of the existence of any military presence at the targeted school at the
time of the attack.
On 2 September 2015, members of the Houthi-affiliated Popular Committees and forces
loyal to former president Saleh reportedly stormed Taizz University and stationed
themselves in its premises. Witnesses told OHCHR that armed men, including members of
the Republic Guard and others dressed in civilian clothes, entered the premises of the
university with at least 5 vehicles, set up mortars and anti-aircraft missiles and positioned
snipers on the roofs of some of the colleges’ buildings. Witnesses also stated that some of
the armed men were carrying flags with Houthi slogans.
On 22 September 2015, the al-Wazeer Martyr School in Bani Hushaish District, Sana’a,
was hit by four consecutive airstrikes, causing the deaths of three civilians including a
woman and a child who were family members of a teacher. OHCHR found no evidence that
the school being used for military purpose at the time of the attack.
F.
Addendum to V/Principal Findings/Military Operations/ 8) Deprivation
of liberty
Particular groups who appear to have been targeted include journalists, human rights
defenders, and members of political parties, especially individuals affiliated with the Islah
Party, the Socialist and the Nasserist Unionist People’s Organization; and religious leaders
including Sunni Imams and a Jewish Rabbi; as well as academics, students and civil society
representatives affiliated with the Islah Party. Some of the most salient incidents
documented by OHCHR are described below.
In August 2015, OHCHR documented the arrest of 12 people in Sana’a by the Popular
Committees affiliated with the Houthis without criminal charges and seemingly only on the
29
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