​The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSAL) condemns in the strongest terms the blatant attack and heinous crime committed by the Houthi terrorist militia through the storming and desecration of the warehouses of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the World Food Programme (WFP), and various other local and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in the West Coast. This brutal attack represents not only a flagrant violation of international laws and charters, but constitutes a fully fledged war crime under the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), an intentional disregard for the sanctity of humanitarian facilities, and a direct threat to the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

​MOSAL emphasizes that this militia-driven behavior—rooted in piracy, the forced seizure of aid, and the plundering of relief assets—constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which criminalizes "intentionally directing attacks against personnel involved in a humanitarian assistance mission." Furthermore, obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid is classified as a war crime under international law and relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, notably Resolution 2417, which reaffirms that using the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited internationally. This militia practice is not merely a passing violation; it is a systematic and deliberate targeting of the humanitarian response mechanism, a form of collective punishment against those in direst need, an absolute impediment to safe and independent relief access, and a grave endangerment to the lives of millions who depend on this aid for survival.

​MOSAL reiterates its absolute rejection of these criminal practices that target humanitarian workers and facilities and undermine the neutrality and independence of relief operations. It considers that turning a blind eye to such violations is no longer acceptable under any circumstances and amounts to silent complicity with war criminals. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is unequivocal in prohibiting the targeting of humanitarian personnel and the obstruction of relief delivery—these are peremptory norms (jus cogens) that cannot be violated under any pretext. Consequently, continued silence in the face of these crimes constitutes an unjustified failing that emboldens the militia to persist in its violations.

​Accordingly, MOSAL calls upon the United Nations (UN), the international community, and all international humanitarian organizations to explicitly and directly condemn the militia's crimes, take firm and deterrent measures to protect humanitarian infrastructure and supply warehouses, and act immediately to hold those responsible accountable to ensure non-impunity.

​Furthermore, MOSAL affirms that it will spare no effort in prosecuting perpetrators and coordinating with all competent authorities to ensure an end to these violations and to provide full protection for humanitarian supply chains. The Ministry will continue to document these crimes and submit them to national and international judicial bodies.

Issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor

Capital, Aden - September 18, 2026