Date: Throughout September 2024
Number of detainees: Hundreds, according to open sources, of which Yemeni Archive identified 31
Locations: Houthi-controlled areas, primarily Sana’a Governorate & Ibb Governorate
Responsibility: Ansar Allah (Houthi) Movement

Introduction

During September 2024, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) Movement reportedly prohibited people in areas under their control from celebrating the 62nd National Day of the September 26 Revolution, and arrested those who gathered or planned to celebrate. This took place in several cities, including the capital Sana’a, Amran, Dhamar, Ibb, Al-Hudaydah, Al Mahwit, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhale, and Hajjah.

Below is a map of the political and military control in Yemen as of December 2024:

Screenshot from LiveuaMap showing areas of control. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 14 December 2024.

Yemeni media, journalists, lawyers, and activists on social media platforms circulated news about the individuals, some of whom had been arrested due to social media posts in which they announced their intention to celebrate the September 26 Revolution. Despite threats of being arrested, people across various Yemeni governorates took to the streets carrying national republican flags to celebrate the anniversary.

Methodology

Yemeni Archive collected, preserved, and analyzed 104 sources, including videos, images, and reports published on social media platforms and news outlets, showing information and visual content about Houthi arrests.
Some hyperlinks have been redacted during the investigation to protect child privacy. If you would like to request access to an unredacted version, please email requests@yemeniarchive.org.

This investigation is a summary of multiple stages of verification and analysis of available open source information. The full research methodology of Yemeni Archive is available on our website.

Background: the September 26 Revolution

The 26th September 1962 marked the beginning of the revolution that led to the overthrow of the Imamate in North Yemen and the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic. The Mutawakkilite Kingdom had been founded in North Yemen after World War I and the end of Ottoman rule in 1918; the monarchical Imamate system continued to rule the country for 44 years. During that period, North Yemen faced harsh conditions of isolation, impacting various aspects of life and leading to social and economic underdevelopment. The revolution of 1962, driven by the ‘Free Officers’, sparked a civil war between the royalists and republicans. The war lasted until 1970, ending with a republican victory. Meanwhile, South Yemen remained under British occupation as the Aden Protectorate until 1967. In 1990, the two Yemeni states united to form the modern Republic of Yemen.

For Yemenis the September 26 and October 14 revolutions are considered the birth of Yemeni citizenship in the north and the south respectively, and for many years, September 26 has been regarded as a symbolic national commemoration.

Celebrations of the Revolution often feature the Republic of Yemen flag (also referred to as the national republican flag), which consists of three horizontal bands of equal size in the colors red, white, and black.

Image of the Republic of Yemen flag. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 09 December 2024.

According to Yemeni researcher Nabil Al-Bakiri, “the Houthis view the widespread and spontaneous popular celebration of the September 26 Revolution anniversary as a public referendum rejecting their agenda. For this reason, the Houthis seemed more fearful this year than ever before of people celebrating as the anniversary approaches, as it reflects people's deep resentment, anger, and strong opposition to the group’s authority and practices.” Human rights monitoring organization SAM reported that in September 2023 the Houthis, fearing a popular uprising against their rule, arrested more than 1,200 individuals across various Yemeni governorates. SAM also reported that hundreds of Yemenis were subjected to beatings, gunfire, and detention in several cities by Houthi-affiliated armed forces during their celebrations of the September 26 Revolution.

What Happened and When

During September 2024, the Houthis launched a campaign of arrests against hundreds of individuals in several areas under their control, aiming to prevent the celebration of the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. It was reported that the Houthis sought to reduce public celebrations out of fear that these gatherings would turn into platforms for expressing popular discontent against their authority.

Ibb Governorate

Ibb Governorate lies 193 kilometers south of Sana’a, situated in the central region of Yemen. It is divided into 20 administrative districts, with the city of Ibb serving as its capital.

News circulated on social media that the Houthis launched a campaign of arrests targeting people celebrating the revolution. Posts mentioned the arrest of activist Mohammed Al-Kathiri, who was reportedly arrested in Al-Jabana neighborhood in the center of Ibb City, five days after a Facebook post in which he appeared to celebrate the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. The Houthis also arrested pro-Houthi activist Raddad Al-Hudhaifi. According to Scope24, Al-Kathiri and Al-Hudhaifi were released three months after their arrest.

Screenshot of Mohammed Al-Kathiri's Facebook post showing signs of celebration of the September 26 Revolution. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 19 October 2024.

In Al-Sadda district, the Houthis reportedly arrested 23 people for preparing to celebrate the revolution’s anniversary and for refusing to participate in religious celebrations organized by the Houthis.

Further news was shared about dozens of sheikhs (influential tribal leaders), educators, political leaders, journalists, activists, and citizens who were arrested. According to journalist and human rights defender Ibrahim Asqin, those arrested included the educator Abdulaziz Al-Fadhli and lawyer Akram Al-Taheri from Jirafah neighborhood in the city of Ibb, who were taken to an unknown location.

Screenshot of Ibrahim Asqin’s tweet showing the educator Abdulaziz Al-Fadhli and lawyer Akram Al-Taheri. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 18 October 2024.

A journalist at Yemen Today shared news about the arrest of Khalid Al-Juhai, the Neighbourhood Supervisor of the Al-Mashan district.

Image of Khalid Al-Juhai shared on X by Sharian Naji. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 18 October 2024.

Abdulraouf Abduljabbar Al-Hashash, a neighborhood elder in Shaab Al-Maneel district in Ibb city, was also arrested (account now suspended but materials archived) for his support of the September 26 Revolution. The Houthis had previously detained him in 2023 for painting the national republican flag on the gate and wall of his house.

Image of Abduljabbar Al-Hashash shared by Yemen Today TV Channel on X. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 17 October 2024.

Additional individuals arrested in the Al-Sadda district included Amin Al-Ashwal, Abdul-Ilah Al-Yajouri, Ahmed Abdo Hussein Al-Mughani, Ghaleb Ali Shizar, and Abdo Ahmed Al-Duwairi.

Journalist Ibrahim Asqin also shared news about the Houthis storming houses in Ibb and arresting women and children.

Social media accounts reshared a post by Huda Aayed, the mother of a detained child who was arrested for calling to celebrate the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. On 8 December 2024, Aayed shared the news of her son's release (multiple hyperlinks removed for child privacy, but materials archived).

Screenshot from Huda Aayed's post about her grief for her son, who was reportedly detained (hyperlink removed for child privacy, but materials archived; photo of child redacted). Captured and redacted by Yemeni Archive on 24 December 2024.

Ali Nasser Al-Awlaki shared news about the arrests of four children, all under the age of 16; and Almasdar Online reported that the Houthis arrested ten children from the village of Dhi Sulul for celebrating the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

In addition, a video circulated showing an individual reportedly being arrested for carrying the national republican flag.

Screenshot from Ibrahim Asqin's video shared on X showing what appear to be Houthi members arresting an individual, with the tweet stating that it took place in Ibb city. The man was reportedly detained for carrying the national republican flag. The video also shows Houthi members holding batons during the arrest. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 15 October 2024.

According to social media reports, Ibb governorate was the most-affected area, with about 960 people arrested by the Houthis (fewer than in 2023, when the Houthis had arrested 1,200 individuals). Of those arrested in 2024, journalist Ibrahim Asqin shared 180 names in a thread on X. Al-Hadath Al Yemeni reported that the families of several detainees have grown increasingly concerned, expressing distress over the loss of communication with their relatives and uncertainty regarding their fate after their transfer to prisons in Sana’a.

Sana'a Governorate

Sana’a Governorate encircles the capital city of Sana’a (administratively known as Amanat Al Asimah - the Capital Secretariat), and comprises 16 administrative districts.

In Sana'a, several individuals who called for the commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Revolution were arrested on or shortly before September 20. Social media reports stated that the Houthis raided the homes of several leaders and members of the General People's Congress in Sana'a, including Sheikh Amin Rajeh, Dr. Saeed Al-Ghalisi, Sheikh Ali Thabet Harmel, Professor Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ashari, and Naif Al-Najjar. It was reported that they were taken to an unknown location.

Journalist Abduh Masad Al-Madan was reportedly arrested on September 23 due to Facebook posts. Social media posts indicate that he has suffered health issues while in detention, and the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate has expressed its concern for Al-Madan's well-being.

Screenshot from Moammar Al-Eryani’s tweet showing pictures of reportedly arrested individuals. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 14 October 2024.

Lawyer Ammar Ali Yassen reported that the Houthis detained journalist Mohammed Al-Mayyahi, preventing him from contacting his family despite more than a month having passed since his abduction from his home in Sana'a. During the arrest on September 20, which was allegedly made on the basis of a Facebook post criticising the Houthis, military police reportedly confiscated Al-Mayyahi’s computer, phone, and his wife’s phone, and specifically referred to Al-Mayyahi’s role as a journalist. According to Taiz Time, Houthi forces also detained Al-Mayyahi’s brother and several youths from his home village, forcing them to pay 50,000-100,000 riyals (USD 100-200) to be released. Mohammed Al-Mayyahi was reportedly held in solitary confinement for a month. In a post titled ‘The Search for Mohammed Al-Mayyahi’, Ali Yassen noted that all judicial doors were closed to him and that he had reached a dead end with the Public Prosecution regarding Al-Mayyahi's case. His case finally reached court on January 13, 2025, with charges of “publishing articles against the state and its political regime”. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for his release.

Houthi Methods of Repression

The Houthis used various intimidation tactics to prevent people from celebrating the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, including broadcast and social media threats of violence, and security patrols.

Threats

In a video posted on his X account, Nasruddin Amer, Deputy Head of Media for the Houthis and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yemeni News Agency Saba, stated that “anyone celebrating September 26 outside of Houthi instructions is a tool of Zionism from within and that they are following the enemy.” He threatened violence, warning that the Houthis’ security apparatus will not show mercy to anyone who goes out to celebrate, adding that the Houthi do not care about public opinion or the international community.

Abdul Qader Al-Murtada, head of the Houthis’ National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, and Alfadl Almaghribiu, posted an image of batons painted with the national republican flag to intimidate those who might be planning to celebrate. Hajum Jarman posted the same image of the batons and stated that they are not against the September 26 Revolution, but rather against the “troublemakers, infiltrators, and agitators who try to use the revolution’s anniversary as an opportunity to create chaos”.

Image of the batons painted with the national republican flag shared on X by Abdul Qader Al-Murtada, head of the Houthis’ National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, to discourage people from celebrating the September 26 Revolution. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 31 October 2024.

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Kumaim, a military analyst and strategist, along with lawyer Mohammed Al-Maswari, and the YouTube channel of Saeed Al-Yahari, published pictures and videos exposing these threats to celebrations, warning of individuals in civilian clothes carrying batons painted in the national republican flag colors.

Image shared by Mohammed Abdullah Al-Kumaim on X showing individuals in civilian clothes carrying batons painted in the national republican flag colors. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 31 October 2024.

Screenshot from a Saeed Al-Yahari video shared on YouTube showing individuals in civilian clothes carrying batons painted in the national republican flag colors. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 31 October 2024.

Screenshot of a video shared by Mohammed Al-Maswari on X showing a group of people chanting and holding sticks painted with the national republican flag. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 25 October 2024.

Patrols

Nashwan Kahlan and journalist Faisal Al-Shubaibi shared videos showing the Houthi security deployment in Sana'a.

Screenshots from Nashwan Kahlan’s video showing a group of Houthi members, armed with guns, dressed in military-style clothing. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 11 October 2024.

Geolocation

The video shared by Faisal Al-Shubaibi on X shows Houthi military vehicles in Tahrir Square parking lot in the capital, Sana'a, at coordinates 15.3536203, 44.2044622.

On the left is a screenshot from Al-Shubaibi’s video showing Houthi military vehicles and national republican flags in the background, and on the right is a screenshot from Google Earth Pro in Street View from August 2021 showing the same flags. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 20 October 2024.

On the left is a screenshot from Al-Shubaibi’s video showing a billboard covered by a national republican flag, and on the right is a screenshot from Google Earth Pro in Street View from August 2021 showing the same billboard. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 20 October 2024.

On the left is a screenshot from Al-Shubaibi’s video showing a tower, and on the right is a screenshot from Google Earth Pro in Street View from August 2021 showing the same tower (the TeleYemen tower). Captured by Yemeni Archive on 20 October 2024.

Matching the landmarks from satellite imagery from Airbus via Google Earth Pro captured on 26 November 2024, with screenshots from Al-Shubaibi’s video that was posted online on 25 September 2024. Captured and marked by Yemeni Archive on 5 December 2024.

Military analyst Abdullah Al-Kummim shared a photo of the Director-General of the Al-Sabeen district, the Houthi loyalist Mohammed Al-Washli, patrolling with Houthi members in the district's neighborhoods reportedly to arrest those celebrating the September 26 Revolution. According to a social media report, Al-Washli is reportedly responsible for the detention of 31 people.

Image of Mohammed Al-Washli, the Director-General of Al-Sabeen district, holding a stick in his hand as he patrols the streets. He appears to be accompanied by several Houthi members, reportedly searching for individuals celebrating the September 26 Revolution. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 14 October 2024.

Writer and field journalist for the Yemen National Army Rashid Maarouf posted a video on X stating that it showed Houthis stopping celebrators.

Screenshot from Rashid Maarouf's video showing what appears to be a Houthi member stopping a car that was participating in the September 26 Revolution celebration with a national republican flag. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 25 October 2024.

Houthi Presence in Schools

In a video shared by Belqees News Channel, a Houthi member is seen giving a speech to students at a school, mocking those celebrating the September 26 Revolution and referring to the celebrants as "scoundrels".

Direct Contact with Individuals

YemAware reported on X that women who carried the national republican flag in September 2023 were contacted and asked not to go out this year. A neighborhood official reportedly told one of them, "You are not allowed to leave the house on September 26. We have your name and car number, and if you go out, we are not responsible for your safety."

The Houthis have reportedly accused celebrants of treason for choosing to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution.

Other Governorates

The Houthis arrested people in other governorates including Amran, Dhamar, Al-Hudaydah, Al Mahwit, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhale, and Hajjah, apparently out of fear that September 26 celebrations might turn into protests against them.

Osama Abdelilah Al-Asbahi, a Yemeni lawyer, shared news about the arrest of lawyers by the Houthis in Al-Hudaydah reportedly for celebrating the September 26 Revolution on Facebook. Al-Asbahi shared the names of those arrested lawyers as Mansour Al-Badji, Abdul Raqeeb Al-Saddar, Maher Al-Shaibani, Najib Al-Sahli, Akram Al-Masni, Maher Fadl Jilan, Ali Al-Dhaifani, and Ahmed Al-Shahdhi.

Fares Alhemyari shared images of military and security vehicles that he claimed were deployed in Al-Hudaydah city.

Screenshot of Fares Alhemyari’s tweet showing what he described as military and security vehicles. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 20 October 2024.

According to an Almasdar Online news report, the Houthis carried out raids and arrests in several districts of Amran Governorate, particularly in the Huth district, where they stormed villages in the Khumri, Dhuaid, and Al-Hamran areas using military vehicles and arrested over 100 people. Responding to people celebrating the anniversary of the revolution, the Houthis reportedly blocked roads, set up checkpoints, and engaged in armed clashes with local tribesmen. In the Kharif district, several residents, including political activist Moamer Abu Hajab, were reportedly arrested for lighting torches in celebration of the September 26 Revolution, while in the Iyal Surayh district, the Houthis arrested more than ten residents from the Qahal area for similar reasons.

The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate condemned the arrest of journalist Fouad Al-Nahari, head of the “Abjad” Center for Strategic Studies, by Houthi forces in Dhamar Governorate. The Syndicate also called for the release of journalists including Mohammed Al-Sahbani and Mohammed Al-Mayyahi.

Ali Al-Gharbani shared a humanitarian appeal for the release of his father, Abdulkhaleq Al-Munajir, who had been detained by the Security and Intelligence Service since September 20. As of November 1, he had been held for 42 days without any charges or legal grounds. Al-Gharbani stated that his father suffers from a heart condition and chronic skin diseases, requiring continuous medical care. Yemen News, Ibb News Network and Al-Hadath Al-Yemeni have all posted about Al-Gharbani’s call in addition to reporting that Al-Munajir was arrested in Dhamar Governorate due to posts about the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

Image of Abdulkhaleq Al-Munajir shared by Al-Hadath Al-Yemeni on X. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 03 November 2024.

Overall, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat claimed that more than 270 civilians were arrested. Yemen News Now shared a list of 156 names of those arrested, including political party leaders, tribal leaders, writers, activists, journalists, and lawyers from various governorates.

This arrest campaign came as the pressure increased on the Houthis to urgently and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained staff of United Nations agencies, international and national NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions held in Sana'a. The arrests are part of a wider pattern seen during the conflict in Yemen: a 2020 Mwatana report documented 1,605 cases of arbitrary detention between 2016-2020, of which the Houthis were responsible for 904.

A month after the anniversary, on October 20, 2024, Suhail Channel reported that the Houthis had moved hundreds of detainees from their provinces to Sana'a, and transferred detainees from Sana'a’s prisons to other provinces, reportedly to make it more difficult for families and lawyers to communicate with them. The American Center for Justice and Human Rights Watch called for the immediate release of all those who were detained.

Accusations Against the Arrestees

According to open source information, the accusations against those arrested by the Houthis are primarily based on their calls to celebrate the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, and for carrying the national republican flag, wearing it, waving it, or displaying it on their cars. The arrests also affected individuals who did not raise the national republican flag or call for a celebration of the revolution, as was the case with Amin Al-Ashwal, who was detained prior to September 26 with the accusation of premeditated intent to participate in the celebrations. Human Rights Watch reported that the Houthis did not press charges against many of those they detained, which amounts to arbitrary detention.

Some families faced challenges to obtain information about their arrested relatives. Masoud Al-Ashwal spent more than a month traveling between Sana'a and Ibb, moving from one official to another to find out when his brother, Amin Al-Ashwal, would be released, without success. It was not until 01 November that Al-Ashwal announced the release of his brother. Some arrestees were detained for three months.

Conclusion

September 26 stands as a significant date in Yemen's history, commemorating the founding of the Yemen Arab Republic in 1962. This investigation concluded that in September 2024, lawyers, teachers, journalists, and other individuals were arrested by the Houthi Movement due to their celebration or intention to celebrate the September 26 Revolution, or for displaying the national republican flag.

Most open source reports reviewed by the Yemeni Archive did not contain information about the alleged perpetrators of these arrests. However one named official was Mohammed Al-Washli, accused of detaining 31 people in Al-Sabeen district, Sana’a.

Due to the limited official information available about these arrests, Yemeni Archive was unable to confirm a total number of detainees, but identified 31 names of arrestees across multiple governorates whose situations were described in open sources.

Annex - Arrestee Details

Name of Arrestee	Location	Reported Date
Mohammed Al-Kathiri	Ibb	08 September 2024
Raddad Al-Hudhaifi	Ibb	01 September 2024
Abdulaziz Al-Fadhli	Ibb	20 September 2024
Akram Al-Taher	Ibb	20 September 2024
Khalid Al-Juhai	Ibb	20 September 2024
Abdulraouf Abduljabbar Al-Hashash	Ibb	21 September 2024
Amin Al-Ashwal	Ibb	19 September 2024
Abdul-Ilah Al-Yajouri	Ibb	20 September 2024
Ahmed Abdo Hussein Al-Mughani	Ibb	20 September 2024
Ghaleb Ali Shizar	Ibb	20 September 2024
Abdo Ahmed Al-Duwairi	Ibb	20 September 2024
Amjad Marhi	Ibb	Unknown
Sheikh Amin Rajeh	Sana’a	18 September 2024
Saeed Al-Ghalisi	Sana’a	19 September 2024
Ali Thabet Harmel	Sana’a	19 September 2024
Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ashari	Sana’a	19 September 2024
Naif Al-Najjar	Sana’a	19 September 2024
Abduh Masad Al-Madan	Sana’a	23 September 2024
Mohammed Al-Mayyahi	Sana’a	20 September 2024
Mansour Al-Badji	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Abdul Raqeeb Al-Saddar	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Maher Al-Shaibani	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Najib Al-Sahli	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Akram Al-Masni	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Maher Fadl Jilan	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Ali Al-Dhaifani	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Ahmed Al-Shahdhi	Al-Hudaydah	26 September 2024
Moamer Abu Hajab	Amran	26 September 2024
Fouad Al-Nahari	Dhamar	23 September 2024
Abdulkhaleq Al-Munajir	Dhamar	20 September 2024
Mohammed Al-Sahbani	Taiz	24 September 2024

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Houthis Arrest September Revolution Anniversary Celebrants

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INVESTIGATIONS