Executive Summary

The "Fields of Death" report, prepared by Mwatana from June 2023 to the end of April 2024, reviews the direct and indirect effects resulting from the use of landmines in the current Yemeni conflict. It highlights the massive scale of landmine proliferation and the nature of the locations where they have been planted. The report addresses the impact of this violation of international law/international norms, which becomes increasingly dangerous and harmful as military operations decrease and many internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their homes. This is a pattern of violation with long-lasting effects, potentially extending for decades after military operations cease, if responsible authorities do not take effective measures to clear and secure the mined areas with determination and responsibility. The "Fields of Death" report is divided into four main chapters, in addition to the introduction, methodology, and recommendations.

The structure of the report is based on 537 landmine incidents documented by the Mwatana team from January 2016 to March 2024 across 14 governorates: Al-Hudaydah, Taiz, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Marib, Al-Bayda, Sana'a, Al-Dhale, Lahij, Saada, Shabwah, Abyan, Aden, and Ibb.  The Ansar Allah (Houthi) group is responsible for 512 incidents, while the other parties are responsible for 25 incidents. During this period,1045 interviews were conducted. According to the report's findings, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group is responsible for 96% of the documented incidents, while 4% or fewer are attributed to other parties.

The report shows a concentration of landmines in areas controlled or previously controlled by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations directed at the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, other parties to the conflict, non-governmental organizations, the international community, and entities involved in mine clearance.

The report addresses the issue of landmines, specifically both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, but primarily focuses on anti-personnel mines due to their widespread presence in Yemeni regions. The legal framework referenced is based on the Ottawa Convention concerning anti-personnel mines only, while the Conventional Weapons Convention is referenced regarding anti-vehicle mines. Overall, the report relies on various rules and principles of international humanitarian law.

Recommendations:

To the Ansar Allah Armed Group  (Houthi):

- Fully adhere to the principles of the Ottawa Convention, to which Yemen is a party and which the group has pledged to uphold. This includes an immediate cessation of the use of all types of mines, particularly anti-personnel mines, the destruction of their stockpiles of mines, and the cessation of manufacturing and importing mines.

- Hand over maps of explosive mines and booby traps to any relevant international entity for their disposal and removal.

- Facilitate mine clearance operations, including granting visas to experts and approving the entry of technical and protective equipment for deminers.

- Take effective measures to provide reparations to victims and their families, including adequate compensation and support for their rehabilitation programs.

- Establish independent and impartial bodies to investigate the use of mines by its forces and hold those responsible accountable.

- Mark mined areas with clear warning signs to prevent further casualties, recognizing that the group is responsible for planting these mines and aware of their locations.

To Other Parties to the Conflict:

- Immediately cease the use of all types of mines and explosive devices, destroy any stockpiles they possess, and commit to not manufacturing or importing them.

- Establish independent and impartial bodies to investigate the use of mines by their forces and hold those responsible accountable.

- Promote and support the activities of mine clearance entities in locating and removing mines.

- Provide adequate support to victims and take necessary measures for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

To Mine Clearance Entities:

- Disclose information about the types of mines found, their locations, usage patterns, and quantities to prevent future use.

- Properly train working teams to avoid risks while removing mines.

- Follow international standards in dealing with mines to ensure safe and sound operations, avoiding risks to working teams and civilians during mine removal.

- Coordinate efforts and provide shared databases among all entities working on mine removal in various areas.

To Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society:

- Support mine removal activities and provide working entities and teams with the latest information and appropriate equipment for their work.

- Support training activities for teams and entities working on mine removal.

- Intensify activities to educate civilians about the dangers of mines and provide information on their locations whenever possible.

- Contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims into society and provide necessary psychological and medical support to them and their families.

- Promote coordination among entities and teams working on mine removal and organize their efforts.

- Continue monitoring and reporting mine incidents, identifying contaminated areas and responsible parties.

To the International Community:

- Provide necessary assistance to Yemen for the disposal of stockpiles of mines, explosive devices, and booby traps.

- Establish an international criminal investigative mechanism to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian law, including the excessive use of anti-personnel mines in the Yemeni conflict.

- Monitor the compliance of all parties, including the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, with the Ottawa Convention banning mines, and holding violators criminally accountable for breaching the convention.

- Support UN-led peace efforts in Yemen, ensuring that human rights issues, including accountability for perpetrators and reparations for victims, are priorities in any future peace programs.

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