Human Rights Organization Documents Houthi Destruction of Al-Hazm Central Prison

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has documented the deliberate destruction of the Central Prison and adjacent facilities in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf Governorate, by Houthi militia forces, raising urgent concerns regarding the fate of the detainees held within the complex.

Field reports and eyewitness accounts indicate that armed elements affiliated with the group were observed transporting containers suspected of holding explosives into the building shortly before a massive blast leveled the structure. The explosion resulted in the total destruction of the prison and caused significant collateral damage to surrounding infrastructure.

Monitoring teams affiliated with the network are currently conducting field investigations to collect evidence and ascertain the number of victims, as well as the status of those who were detained at the site. These efforts face significant challenges due to the stringent information blackout imposed by the militia in the area.

The human rights organization emphasized that the destruction of a detention facility housing prisoners or abductees constitutes a grave violation of international standards. The group has called for an independent, international investigation into the incident, warning against any attempts by the perpetrators to conceal evidence or manipulate public perception regarding the circumstances of the demolition.

In its statement, the network demanded the immediate disclosure of the fate of all individuals who were held in the facility. It further urged international human rights and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently, facilitating access for investigative teams to the site to determine the true condition of the victims and the missing detainees.