Iran-Backed Houthis Weaponize Displacement With New Hajjah Bombardment

Artillery bombardments by Iran-backed Houthis have triggered a new wave of displacement in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah Governorate, with dozens of families fleeing their homes following sustained shelling of civilian areas in Abs District.

Local sources said that Houthis, entrenched near Al-Sha'ab village, launched a barrage of artillery fire targeting Al-Sabeel village in the Rubu' Mutawala area, in an attempt to forcibly displace residents.

According to the sources, the Houthi attacks led to the displacement of dozens of villagers to Al-Jarb village within the same district, in addition to spreading panic and fear among civilians, particularly women and children.

The latest violence continues a documented pattern of Houthi forces weaponizing displacement in Yemen's northwest. Humanitarian monitors have repeatedly condemned the Iran-backed group's tactics of targeting civilian areas to depopulate contested regions.