During 2017, Mwatana has documented 24 incidents in eight Yemeni governorates, where the parties to the conflict have subjected schools to direct attacks.

The unabated armed conflict in several areas in Yemen affected schools in those areas: rendered them vulnerable to direct or indirect air and ground attacks, or to occupation and use for such combat purposes as turning schools into military barracks, prisons, headquarters of armed groups, supply centers or shelters for military personnel.

The Legal Framework

In addition to the requirement to distinguish between military objectives and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities in international humanitarian law, UN Security Council Resolution 2225 (2015) on children and armed conflict calls on all parties to conflict to respect the civilian character of schools. This includes not only refraining from targeting schools but also refraining from using schools for military purposes. The Resolution also expresses deep concern that the military use of schools may render them legitimate targets of attack.

Incidents:

• On Thursday, June 11, 2017, at 06:00 pm, the Security Belt forces stormed into both the Education Bureau and Sayfan High School in Mahfad District, in Abyan Governorate. The Security Belt forces continued to occupy the premises while using them as barracks and workshop for repairing the vehicles.  The forces moved out from the school on Wednesday July 12, 2017, shattering most of the doors and destroying the water and sanitation network. [1]

• On Sunday, July 23, 2017, around 04:00 pm, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition carried out two airstrikes on 22 May School in Al-Rawal Village in Al-Madan District, in Amran Governorate. The first attack occurred around 04:00 pm, with three bombs, while the second occurred four years later, with one bomb.

The two attacks resulted in the total destruction of the school. This school was one of the oldest schools in the area, which used to receive about 400 male and female students from several villages.  Until the day of the air attacks, the school was open, conducting high school exams, and holding special lessons for the students in the area to prepare for the next school year.[2]

• On Tuesday, September 17, 2017, at 03:30 pm, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition targeted Al-Fath Basic School in Yasnam area, in Sa’adah Governorate. The attack left the school totally destroyed.

The first bomb hit near the school, about 200 meters on the eastern side, shattering all the windows.  But the second bomb hit the schoolyard, to the eastern side itself, destroying the water tanks and the bathrooms.  Five minutes later, the warplanes targeted the school from the southern side with a bomb, leveling the rooftops of three classrooms. A fourth bomb followed from the same side and destroyed the other three classrooms.[3]

According to the statements obtained by Mwatana for Human Rights, the school was under the control of the Ansar Allah group (the Houthis) that used it as a detention place and a local security station to solve issues among people. [4]

• On Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 07:45 am, a group affiliated to the popular resistance and army members from the 17th Infantry Brigade loyal to president Hadi, stormed into Al-Salam Manaqel School in Bani Al-Bukari Sub-district, in Jabal Habashi District, in Taizz Governorate. The school continues to be used as a military barracks belonging to the popular resistance and is a target for the artillery fire of the Ansar Allah group (the Houthis), until the time of writing this report.

• Between November 29 and December 4, 2017, fierce clashes erupted between forces loyal to the Ansar Allah group (the Houthis) and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in a number of residential areas in the capital, Sana’a. The clashes, which lasted for five days with both sides using medium and heavy weapons, resulted in damaging Al-Israa’ School and Ali Abdul Moghni School. Both public schools are located near the house of former president Saleh.[5]

The armed clashes in the capital, Sana’a, resulted in stopping the entire educational process for about a week. But in the areas, where the armed clashes took place, it was stopped for about two weeks.

• On Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 08:30 pm, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition hit Al-Salam School in Washha District, in Hajjah Governorate, with two bombs. The first bomb hit near the school, while the other hit and leveled the entire building.[6]

During 2017, nine schools in Taizz resumed operating, despite the presence of armed men at some of them.  However, 19 other schools continue to be occupied, or used as military barracks, detention center and training center for popular resistance groups loyal to president Hadi. At least one school is used as a military barracks by the Ansar Allah group (the Houthis). Moreover, five schools were either partially or completely damaged, being close to the front lines.[7]

 

[1]Mwatana for Human Rights interviewed eyewitnesses and the school board on January 13, 2017.

[2]Mwatana for Human Rights interviewed an eyewitness on July 27, 2017.

[3] Mwatana for Human Rights interviewed eyewitnesses on September 20, 2017.

[4] ibid.

[5] Mwatana for Human Rights visited the areas that saw the armed clashes in Sana’a from December 10 – 13, 2017.

[6] Mwatana for Human Rights interviewed eyewitnesses on December 18, 2017.

[7] Mwatana for Human Rights had conducted field visits during February 2018.