On 22 June 2026, an explosive remnant of war detonated in Al‑Raybi village, Hajr area, Qa'atabah district, in northern Al‑Dhalea governorate, killing five children and injuring seven others.

The children had discovered the device while playing in a residential area. The blast caused immediate deaths and inflicted injuries of varying severity, including critical wounds.

Casualty Identification — Minors

The following children have been identified in connection with the incident:

Fatalities (5)

• Wakalah Ali Mohammed Ali, age 13
• Angham Walid Abdul Salam, age 5
• Ayham Walid Abdul Salam, age 4
• Malik Emad Hassan, age 11
• Al-Yamamah Radwan Ali, age 9

Injured (7)

• Maryam Walid Abdul Salam, age 7
• Ammar Yasser Abdullah Mas'ad, age 12
• Ma'moun Ghassan Nasser Abdullah, age 11
• Farouq Sharif Abdul Wahid, age 13
• Anan Shafiq Ali Mohammed, age 11
• Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh Rumaymah, age 13
• Mohammed Ghassan Nasser Abdullah, age 13

This incident forms part of a sustained pattern of civilian casualties—particularly among children—caused by landmines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordnance across Yemen. Since the beginning of 2026, approximately twenty-six children have been killed or injured by such devices in various parts of the country, including fourteen killed and twelve injured. These hazards include landmines and explosive devices planted by Houthi militias, as well as unexploded ordnance left by years of conflict.

The children were in the immediate vicinity of their village at the time of the explosion, engaged in play in an area that constitutes a natural extension of civilian daily life. The incident demonstrates the indiscriminate and enduring nature of the threat posed by explosive remnants of war, which continue to penetrate civilian spaces and transform residential environments into permanent sources of danger. Children remain disproportionately affected due to their particular vulnerability and limited capacity to recognize explosive hazards.

Institutional Position

The killing and injury of children resulting from explosive remnants of war in Al-Dhalea constitute grave violations of the rights to life, physical integrity, and security of person. The continued occurrence of such incidents, including the documented killing and injury of at least 26 children across Yemen since the beginning of 2026, underscores the persistent and foreseeable risks posed by landmines, improvised explosive devices, and other explosive remnants of war. The emplacement of these weapons in or near civilian areas is incompatible with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution under international humanitarian law. All authorities exercising effective control over affected areas are obligated to take all feasible measures to identify, mark, isolate, and clear contaminated locations, protect civilians from foreseeable harm, conduct prompt, independent, and impartial investigations, ensure accountability for those responsible, and provide effective remedies for victims in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Demands Aligned with International Human Rights Principles

Released by:
Women Journalists Without Chains
Geneva, Switzerland --- June 26, 2026