Allegations of UAE forces committing abuses in Yemen: Facts and secret prisons
In recent years, human rights and international reports have increasingly accused Emirati forces and their allied armed groups of committing grave violations against detainees in Yemen. These accusations shed light on a dark aspect of the ongoing war, with testimonies and documents pointing to practices including torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detention outside the framework of the law, raising widespread concern among the international community and humanitarian organizations.
The context of the conflict and the UAE's role in Yemen
To understand the background of these events, one must go back to the beginning of the Saudi-led Arab coalition's military intervention in March 2015, in which the United Arab Emirates was a key partner, with the stated aim of restoring legitimacy from the Houthi group. However, Emirati influence was primarily concentrated in Yemen's southern and eastern governorates, such as Aden, Hadramawt, and Shabwa. The UAE trained and armed local forces such as the Security Belt, the Shabwani Elite Forces, and the Hadrami Elite Forces, which are accused of operating detention facilities outside the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The network of secret prisons and the nature of the abuses
Investigative reports and reports by organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, as well as reports by the UN Group of Eminent Experts, have revealed a network of secret prisons in military bases and airports (such as Riyan Airport in Mukalla and the coalition headquarters in Al-Buraiqa, Aden). The allegations included horrific details of torture methods used, including electric shocks, severe beatings, sexual abuse, and denial of medical care. These reports indicate that many detainees were held for years without clear charges or fair trials.
Political repercussions and international dimensions
The gravity of these violations extends beyond the humanitarian sphere, encompassing profound political repercussions for the Yemeni landscape. These practices have weakened the authority of the legitimate government and deepened internal divisions, particularly among southern factions. Internationally, these accusations have placed the UAE’s Western allies, specifically the United States and the United Kingdom, under increasing pressure from legislators and human rights activists to review arms deals and military cooperation, fearing complicity in potential war crimes. Demands for independent international investigations and accountability for those responsible for these violations remain essential components of any future transitional justice process in Yemen.
