Yemen's Houthi Rebels Accuse Saudi Arabia of Deadly Air Strike on Al-Jawf Prison

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out a devastating air strike on a prison in the northern city of al-Hazm, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including a child. According to Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi-run Health Ministry, the attack targeted the Central Corrective Facility located in al-Jawf province on the Yemeni side of the border with Saudi Arabia, leaving at least seven others wounded, including a woman.

The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV channel broadcast footage purportedly showing the aftermath of the alleged strike, featuring a collapsed building and individuals sifting through the wreckage. Saudi Arabia has not issued any comment regarding these allegations.

Additionally, Al Masirah TV released video footage claiming to show Houthi forces deploying ballistic missiles against Saudi supply trucks carrying military equipment at a border crossing situated in Yemen’s Hadramout province. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree strongly condemned Saudi Arabia, accusing the nation of committing massacres in al-Jawf, operating reconnaissance drones, and providing weaponry to mercenaries.

"The ongoing Saudi aggression against Yemen will not go unpunished, and the Saudi enemy must bear the consequences of its crimes against the Yemeni people," Saree stated. He further claimed that Houthi forces had successfully shot down four Saudi reconnaissance drones within the preceding 24 hours, specifically highlighting a CH-4 drone engaged in hostile missions over al-Jawf.

Riyadh has maintained its silence regarding Saree's claims. These accusations emerge amidst a recent surge in fighting between the Houthi movement and Yemen’s internationally recognised government. On Sunday, the Yemeni government reported making substantial territorial gains against the Houthis across the al-Jawf, Bayda, Dahle, and Marib provinces.

Government-aligned forces have also conducted counterattacks in Taiz and Hodeidah following a major Houthi offensive aimed at seizing control of the critical Bab al-Mandeb strait, with reports indicating hundreds of casualties over the past 24 hours. In response to the escalating violence, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg urged all warring parties on Monday to halt hostilities and exercise maximum restraint, warning that the current escalation risks deteriorating into a full-scale war.

Air strikes targeting detention facilities have unfortunately occurred multiple times throughout Yemen’s decade-long conflict. Notable past incidents include a 2022 Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention facility in Saada province that killed at least 87 prisoners, and a 2019 coalition attack on a Houthi-run facility in Dhamar province that claimed the lives of more than 100 people.