Yemen government forces ram armored vehicle into Houthi fighters

Yemen government forces face criticism after posting a video showing an armored vehicle running over encircled Houthi fighters during an offensive in Taiz province.

A video released by the Yemen government military on October 6 shows its forces using an armored vehicle formation to attack and encircle a group of Houthi gunmen in a desert area of Dhubab district, Taiz province, Yemen.

Government forces then accelerated the armored vehicle, driving directly into Houthi fighters who were running, walking, lying, or sitting on the ground; not all of them carried weapons. The vehicle then circled back and drove into two more people, even though they were unarmed and had raised their hands in an apparent attempt to surrender.

Some Houthi gunmen attempted to return fire, cracking the armored vehicle's windshield. The vehicle then continued to run over several Houthi members lying on the ground, according to images analyzed by Reuters.

Two Houthi members raise their hands in surrender as a Yemen government armored vehicle approaches. Photo captured from video

Reuters reported that the video was filmed near the Bab el-Mandeb strait area of Dhubab district on October 5. Saudi Arabia-backed Yemen government forces announced control of the district and strategic positions around the Bab el-Mandeb strait on the same day, following clashes with the Houthi.

The Houthi declared the video as evidence of war crimes committed by Saudi Arabia-backed forces.

Asil al-Saqladi, spokesman for the Giants Brigade, the main force of the Yemen government military participating in this week's offensive around the Bab el-Mandeb strait, stated they are investigating the incident.

He explained that the Houthi gunmen in the video had deceived their opponents by feigning surrender, then continued to open fire on government forces.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition has not commented. The Homeland Shield Forces, a key component of the Yemen government's military alliance, did not comment on the video but issued a directive on October 6 calling on soldiers to treat prisoners well and adhere to religious, ethical, and legal standards.

A Houthi member about to be run over by a vehicle in a video posted by Yemen government forces. Photo captured from video

According to Reuters, the video reveals the fierce developments in the final phase of the battle for control of areas near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Houthi seized this region last month, which sent shockwaves through oil markets and drove up global gasoline and diesel prices.

Dubbed the "Red Sea bottleneck", the Bab el-Mandeb strait is a shipping lane connecting Asia with Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. This route has become increasingly vital for oil and gas transport, especially after Middle East conflicts led to the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters, citing Yemen military sources, reported that fighting continued near the Bab el-Mandeb strait on October 6, as government forces consolidated their counter-offensive and encircled Houthi forces at one base near the strait, while also capturing key high ground to the east.