Yemen: Fatal IED detonation occurs in Khabb wa ash Sha’af district (Al Jawf province) November 26

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) killed one civilian and wounded another after being detonated in Khabb wa ash Sha'af district (Al Jawf province) on Thursday, November 26. Emergency responders were deployed to the scene of the incident. The attack has been attributed to Houthi rebel forces by the government of Yemen, but this has not been immediately verified.

Security operations are expected in the vicinity of the incident in the coming hours and days. Further attacks of a similar nature are likely across Yemen over the near term.

Context

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. The Saudi-led coalition has carried out thousands of airstrikes in Yemen since its intervention began. Hundreds of Yemeni civilians have been killed in the strikes, which have hit schools, hospitals, and markets, in addition to Houthi militant positions and personnel. Houthi rebels have also launched hundreds of missile, rocket, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks targeting coalition forces and civilian population centers in the west and center of the country throughout the conflict. Although many of these have been intercepted by coalition air defenses, hundreds of civilians have been killed in Houthi missile strikes. In total, more than 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and some 3 million have been displaced.

Advice

Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.