Human Rights Watch Reports Excessive Force and Arbitrary Arrests Against Peaceful Protesters in Southern Yemen

Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing serious violations committed by Yemeni government forces in response to protests in southern Yemen during February. The organization highlighted the use of excessive force against demonstrators, many of whom were described as peaceful, alongside arbitrary arrests made without legal justification.

Protests erupted in the governorates of Aden, Shabwa, and Hadramout, where thousands rallied in support of the Southern Transitional Council. These demonstrations were sparked by escalating tensions following a state of emergency declared in late December 2025. While many protests began peacefully, they reportedly escalated into violent confrontations due to government intervention.

The report indicates that government forces employed live ammunition to disperse crowds, resulting in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries, particularly in Aden and Shabwa. Notably, an incident in Ataq, Shabwa, saw government forces open fire on protesters approaching a government building, leading to five deaths and 39 injuries. In Aden, gunfire near the presidential palace on February 19 resulted in one death and injuries to at least 25 individuals.

Additionally, the report documented the arbitrary arrest of dozens of protesters, including local leaders and activists, without clear charges or judicial procedures. Testimonies revealed that some detainees were held for over two weeks without being formally charged, constituting arbitrary detention under international law. The report also noted an incident in Hadramout where government forces fired on protesters at Seiyun Airport, reflecting a heightened securitized approach to managing dissent.

Human Rights Watch based its findings on interviews with eyewitnesses and detainees, as well as visual evidence from protest sites. The organization emphasized that the actions of the Yemeni government violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. The report calls for Yemeni authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the violence and hold those responsible accountable, amid a backdrop of rising political tensions in the region.