A state of escalating anxiety prevails among the local population in Ibb Governorate, located in central Yemen, following the observation of intensified military movements and deployments by the Houthi group in recent times. Local sources and field reports indicate that the group has begun extensive digging of tunnels and trenches, in addition to setting up missile launch platforms in mountainous areas and other locations near densely populated residential areas, raising fears of a humanitarian catastrophe and placing the lives of thousands of civilians in immediate danger.
These military developments are concentrated in the strategic mountainous highlands overlooking the city of Ibb and the surrounding districts. Under heavy guard, Houthi engineering teams are conducting day and night excavation work to construct a network of tunnels believed to be used for storing weapons and ammunition, as well as preparing launch sites for ballistic missiles and drones. These actions are part of a military strategy aimed at militarizing the province, which was once known as the "Green Province" due to its agricultural and touristic nature, and which had remained relatively untouched by direct military confrontations compared to other provinces.
General context and strategic background
Ibb Governorate holds immense strategic importance due to its central location in Yemen, connecting the capital, Sana'a, with the southern governorates and the western coast. Since the Houthis seized control of the governorate, they have transformed it into a rear supply hub and a launching point for military operations toward the Dhale' and western coast fronts. However, recent developments indicate a qualitative shift in their approach to the governorate, from a mere supply line to an advanced military base, reflecting the group's fears of any potential military operations that might target the heart of their control.
Historically, the Houthi group has resorted to a strategy of entrenching itself in the mountains and using rugged terrain to protect its military arsenal from airstrikes. However, the current dangerous aspect is the proximity of these fortifications to villages and residential areas. This tactic constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, as it uses civilians as human shields to protect military installations, thus making civilian objects legitimate military targets in the eyes of opposing forces and exposing the population to the risks of errant targeting or shrapnel.
Expected impacts and risks
The militarization of Ibb Governorate in this manner has serious repercussions on several levels. Locally, residents live in constant fear of weapons depots exploding due to improper storage or airstrikes, as has happened in previous incidents in Sana'a and other cities. Furthermore, the haphazard excavation work is causing severe environmental damage and destroying agricultural land upon which residents depend for their livelihoods, exacerbating the economic and living crisis in the governorate.
Regionally and internationally, the deployment of missile launchers in central Yemen could broaden the scope of the Houthi threat, both to international shipping and to liberated areas within Yemen. Observers suggest these moves may be part of an ongoing escalation in the region and an attempt to impose new military realities on the ground. In light of this situation, human rights groups and local appeals are growing louder, urging the international community and UN organizations to intervene urgently and pressure the Houthis to cease militarizing residential areas and spare civilians the horrors of conflict. They warn that the continuation of this situation could lead to new waves of displacement and a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.
