of secret prisons is generating widespread controversy in human rights and political circles, with reports indicating the existence of detention and torture operations taking place outside the authority of the Yemeni state and judiciary. This file is considered one of the most complex and sensitive in the current Yemeni landscape, given its connection to military entities and armed groups operating independently of the internationally recognized government.
General context and historical background
To understand the roots of this issue, one must go back to the events following 2015, specifically after the liberation of Mukalla and the Hadramawt coast from al-Qaeda control in April 2016. During that period, local military formations were established with the support of the Arab Coalition to secure the region. The al-Dhaba area, which includes a strategic oil port and an airport, was transformed into a fortified military base. Over time, reports surfaced that parts of this base had been converted into unofficial detention centers, operating independently of the Yemeni Public Prosecutor's Office or the Ministry of the Interior.
The nature of the violations and human rights reports
Numerous international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, along with global journalistic investigations, have documented testimonies from former detainees and families of the forcibly disappeared. These testimonies describe harsh practices including physical and psychological torture, denial of medical care, and prolonged detention without formal charges or trial. A major problem is that these prisons are located in “gray zones” of administrative jurisdiction, hindering the Yemeni judiciary’s ability to determine the fate of detainees.
The impact of the absence of state authority
The continued existence of prisons outside state control poses a blatant challenge to the rule of law in Yemen. This situation not only leads to grave human rights violations but also erodes the legitimacy of official institutions and exacerbates public discontent in the southern and eastern governorates. Furthermore, the issue of enforced disappearances in al-Dhaba prison and others casts a shadow over peace efforts, as families of detainees demand information about the fate of their loved ones as a prerequisite for any national reconciliation or lasting security.
In conclusion, the issue of secret prisons in Yemen remains a testament to the complexities of war and the multiplicity of military loyalties, which calls for serious international and local intervention to enable the Yemeni judicial authorities to extend their influence and close all illegal detention centers.
