Aden (South24 Center)

A new human rights report has accused Saudi Arabia and allied forces of using Kornet guided missiles to target withdrawing Southern Forces in South Yemen, documenting 133 deaths and 333 injuries during a period of escalating military operations in Hadramout, Al-Mahra, and Dhalea.

The report, issued by the Independent Southern Group, a Europe-based human rights organization, and titled “Under Relentless Fire: Grave Damage and Unlawful Attacks,” describes what it calls a pattern of violations linked to airstrikes and ground operations carried out amid intensifying power struggles within the anti-Houthi camp, following the withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates and the rise of Saudi Arabia as the dominant military actor.

According to the findings, approximately 65% of fatalities resulted from concentrated airstrikes and guided weapons, including Kornet anti-tank missiles, which struck shelters and withdrawal points where no active combat was taking place at the time.

The report highlights allegations that individuals who had withdrawn from the battlefield or laid down their arms — classified under international law as hors de combat — were deliberately targeted. It warns that such acts, if confirmed, may constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

It also documents that around 40% of injuries were severe or permanent, including limb amputations and complex fractures, reflecting the use of weapons with wide-area effects. In one incident alone, 80 casualties were recorded within a short timeframe, underscoring the intensity of the attacks.

Civilian harm is also detailed, with airstrikes reported in populated areas such as Al-Qatn and Seiyun, resulting in casualties among women and children. The report further notes strikes on civilian objects and infrastructure, including Mukalla Port, Hura Bridge, and Seiyun and Al-Rayyan airports, causing significant disruption to essential services.

In addition, the report documents the detention of 18 individuals in the Al-Adwas area of Hadramout on January 3, 2026, raising concerns about possible identity-based targeting, as most detainees were from Dhalea and Lahj.

Verified visual material cited in the report also points to the use of hate speech and incitement of a takfiri nature against Southern prisoners, contributing to what it describes as a hostile environment that could facilitate further violations.

The findings are based on field visits, analysis of physical evidence, medical records, and interviews with 133 victims, survivors, and witnesses, conducted in line with internationally recognized verification standards.

The report calls for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry under the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the incidents, determine accountability, and prevent impunity.