Houthi Drone Strike Kills Three Children at Civilian Home in Yemen

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Houthi militia committed a horrific crime in al-Hodeidah Governorate, launching a drone strike that targeted a civilian home in the village of Bayt Bish, north of Hays district.

The attack killed three children who were playing in their family yard, in a stark example of the ongoing violations committed by the group against civilians in Yemen.

 According to information received by Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), the drone targeted the homes of two brothers, Ibrahim and Salem Mohammed Ayeed Bishara, killing three of their children: Riham (5), Yahya (2), and Waad (3). The children died instantly in the strike, which hit their home without warning.

 This crime is part of a broader pattern of violence and terror that the Houthi militia continues to carry out across Yemen. WJWC strongly condemned the attack, stating it marks a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of international law, particularly those protecting civilians and children in times of conflict.

 The deliberate targeting of civilians, especially children, constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law. Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court explicitly criminalizes such acts. In addition, the attack violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which require the protection of civilians and children from armed violence.

 The continued Houthi assaults on populated areas reflect a systematic policy of fear and collective punishment. These actions demonstrate complete disregard for the sanctity of civilian life and for Yemenis’ right to live in safety and dignity.

 WJWC holds the Houthi militia fully responsible for this crime and stresses that all those involved—whether by giving orders or participating in the execution—must be held accountable. Such crimes do not expire with time and must be subject to legal scrutiny and prosecution.

 The organization also called on the international community, including the United Nations, to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities. Immediate and effective action must be taken to protect civilians in Yemen and to prevent the recurrence of such violations.

 WJWC warns that continued silence and inaction from the global community embolden perpetrators and create a culture of impunity. Justice and accountability are essential not only for the victims and their families but for ending the cycle of violence in Yemen.

The organization reaffirmed the urgent need for international efforts to investigate these crimes and bring those responsible to justice. Protecting civilian lives—especially the lives of children—must remain a core priority of the international community.