Introduction

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Yemen in 2014, human rights violations have escalated across the country, particularly in detention facilities and prisons. These facilities are run by the various parties to the conflict, who reportedly target individuals and groups based on their race, political opinions and regional or ethnic affiliations and subject them to detention-related abuses. In Marib Governorate, which is under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government (IRG), patterns of serious human rights violations including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture have emerged in recent years, according to documentation by local and international human rights organizations including Mwatana for Human Rights and SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties (SAM).

This open-source investigation by Yemeni Archive highlights the patterns of violations committed in Marib’s prisons, through the collection, documentation, and analysis of visual materials and human rights reports, and statements and interviews from survivors and their families.

The report presents details about official and secret prisons, as well as a prominent checkpoint linked to cases of detention. It also reviews a list of alleged perpetrators, along with documenting case studies of individual victims who suffered violations. In addition, it describes security and political developments in the governorate and the resulting overlap of influence among official bodies, political parties, and tribes.

This investigation focuses on Marib Governorate because it is one of the few governorates where the IRG maintains near-complete administrative and security control over institutions, security checkpoints, and detention facilities. This places all prisons, whether official or unofficial, under the institutional responsibility of government agencies and their affiliated security forces. In contrast, other governorates experience fragmented or divided authority, for example Taiz includes areas controlled by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement alongside areas under government control; Aden is under the influence and security administration of forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council; and Sana'a and Dhamar are under Houthi control with their detention facilities managed by de facto authorities. Those disparities in control limit the feasibility of assigning institutional responsibility to a single party, unlike in Marib, where the control structure allows for a clearer analysis of the government's responsibilities and actions regarding prisons and detention.

In Marib, facilities such as the Political Security Organization Prison, the Central Security Prison, the Saleh Institute Prison, and other, secret detention centers are reportedly managed by security forces linked to the Islah Party, an influential political party that forms part of the IRG ruling coalition, with ties to Saudi Arabia. Human rights organizations including Mwatana and Insan Organization have recorded cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance in these facilities.

In this investigation, case studies were selected based on recurring patterns of violations and shared circumstances that reflect the nature of detention in Marib’s prisons, while also considering the diversity of the detainees’ geographical and social backgrounds. The sample included individuals from various professional groups, such as medical staff, students, activists, journalists, and others. This selection aims to highlight the nature of detention and the documented violations, as well as to demonstrate the diversity of the affected groups. This investigation forms part of a broader series by Yemeni Archive examining patterns of arrest and detention across areas controlled by different actors, with the aim of providing a broader understanding of the varying contexts of these practices across conflict-affected areas, and preserving related digital evidence.

Methodology

Yemeni Archive conducted this investigation using a multi-stage open-source research approach, which included:

Collecting, preserving, and analyzing 206 digital records of which 103 were cited in this report, including visual materials, reports issued by local and international organizations, and reports published on websites and social media platforms.
Geolocating selected detention sites using available online materials.
Systematically reviewing allegations related to arrests, and analyzing the nature of the entities reportedly responsible.
Verifying information by cross-referencing official reports, testimonies from survivors and their families, and accounts shared by activists on social media, checking for consistency across multiple independent sources.

For more information about Yemeni Archive’s research methodology, please visit our website.

Overview of the Yemeni non-governmental organizations relied upon in this report

Mwatana For Human Rights: An organization dedicated to documenting human rights violations and providing legal support, in addition to working on accountability and redress, advocacy, awareness-raising, and capacity building in the field of human rights. It is headquartered in Sanaa and covers all regions of Yemen.

SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties: A human rights organization established by a group of rights advocates and academics in Europe. It monitors human rights in the Middle East and conveys information on violations to decision-making institutions and international human rights organizations. It is based in Geneva and covers all regions of Yemen.

Insan Rights and Freedoms Organization: An organization working in the field of human rights defense. It is headquartered in Sanaa and covers some regions of Yemen, with a focus on violations committed by parties to the conflict.

Abductees Mothers Association: A human rights and humanitarian organization formed by mothers, wives, and families of abductees and forcibly disappeared individuals, along with women activists working in the field of human rights and freedoms. The organization focuses on issues of abducted, arbitrarily detained, and forcibly disappeared individuals, with attention to gender considerations. It is headquartered in Taiz and covers all regions of Yemen.

Background: Shifts of Influence Between the Government and Political Parties in Marib Governorate

Since the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement took control of the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, Marib Governorate became the center for the forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government (IRG). Local tribes played a pivotal role in forming what became known as the Popular Resistance, which emerged as a defensive force to prevent the Houthis’ advance. This led to cooperation between the tribes and the IRG.

Before the outbreak of the conflict, the General People’s Congress (GPC) was the most prominent political party in Marib. The party, founded in 1982 by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, remained influential in political life for several decades. However, after the mass protests and political changes of 2011, the party’s influence declined and it split following Saleh’s alliance with the Houthis and his subsequent killing in December 2017. As a result, the party’s branch in Marib divided between those who joined President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s government and those who shifted to the Islah Party.

The Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Islah Party), established in 1990, combines Islamic orientations rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood with tribal affiliations, and is one of the most influential parties in Yemen. It benefits from its representation in the IRG and its ties with Saudi Arabia. The party became more prominent in Marib after losing influence in a number of northern governorates that fell under Houthi control. As the conflict escalated, some of the party’s leaders, particularly from the middle and lower ranks, moved to Marib. With the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the United Arab Emirates, taking control of the south of Yemen, Marib became both a political and military base for a number of Islah cadres. The Islah Party now exerts influence over some security roles - including detention - in Marib.

Security and Judicial Leadership in Marib

The security and legal situation in Marib Governorate is complex due to the multiplicity of actors and the expanding responsibilities of the police and judicial authorities. The local authority's responsibilities overlap with those of the public prosecution and security leaders in overseeing detention centers and enforcing the law. Despite declared efforts to strengthen oversight and improve institutional performance, reports of violations within the governorate continue to point to a gap between legal frameworks and practical implementation. This makes understanding the nature of the responsible leadership and their roles crucial for assessing the human rights and judicial landscape in Marib.

Judge Qaher Mustafa Ali serves as the Attorney General of the Republic of Yemen, appointed by the Presidential Leadership Council on 25 May 2022, succeeding former Attorney General Ahmed Al-Mousai. He holds a pivotal position within the judiciary, leading the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office across the country. He has issued directives to conduct investigations into certain security cases, including the disappearance of prominent figures such as Lt. Col. Ali Ashal Al-Ja’dani, and has also ordered field inspection visits to several police stations and security districts, including Marib, as part of oversight duties over judicial officers. There are no open-source indications of formal or documented accusations against Judge Qaher Mustafa Ali, and his name does not appear in reports by local or international human rights organizations as being implicated in violations or unlawful practices. However, under Yemeni law, the Public Prosecution is the authority responsible for law enforcement procedures, investigations, and the oversight of detention facilities, meaning Judge Ali is responsible for these functions as Attorney General.

Major General Sultan bin Ali al-Aradah has served as Governor of Marib Governorate since April 2012. A review of available open-source information did not find reports indicating formal accusations against Governor al-Aradah regarding involvement in illegal practices or human rights violations. In a 2018 Abu Dhabi TV interview, Governor al-Aradah denied the existence of secret prisons in the governorate, stating that he would bear full responsibility should any secret prison in Marib be proven to exist, and declaring that he would be the one legally held accountable if this were confirmed. During the interview, al-Aradah indicated that specialized prosecutors and several international bodies and organizations had visited detention facilities in Marib and inspected their conditions. He maintained that the allegations circulating about the existence of secret prisons lacked, in his view, any verifiable evidence. He also explained that during periods of military escalation and bombing of the city of Marib, some detainees were temporarily transferred to secure locations for security reasons, before being returned to official detention facilities after the security situation improved.

Dr. Abdurabah Muftah has served as Deputy Governor of Marib since January 2013, working as an executive assistant to the Governor. He has represented the local authority in meetings and correspondence with relief and humanitarian organizations and acts as the official face in addressing civil affairs and public service provision. No open-source information was found that pointed to formal or documented accusations against Dr. Abdurabah Muftah of involvement in unlawful practices or human rights violations, and his name does not appear in reports by human rights organizations.

Article (43) of the Local Authority Law No. 4 of the year 2000 stipulates that the governor and his deputy are responsible for security and public order within their governorate and oversees security agencies (police) in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

Judge Aref Al-Makhlafi serves as the highest-ranking judicial official in Marib, heading the Court of Appeals Prosecution. His role includes judicial oversight of prisons in the governorate, conducting field inspections of police stations, and supervising the implementation of death sentences and release orders. No open-source indications of complaints or formal accusations were found against Judge Al-Makhlafi, nor has his name appeared in human rights reports as being implicated in violations. Despite reports of his meetings with rights defenders and inspection visits, detainee abuses in Marib persist.

Major General Yahya Ali Humaid has served as Director of Police for Marib Governorate since 2019, representing the official authorities in supervising and monitoring police performance across the governorate. No open-source information was found that indicates accusations linking him to rights violations such as torture or arbitrary detention. Although SAM has documented abuses within some security agencies in Marib, it has not named Major General Humaid personally, focusing instead on other entities such as the Political Security Organization.

Brigadier General Abdullah Al-Sabri has served as Commander of the Special Security Forces in Marib since April 2024, appointed by Minister of Interior Major General Ibrahim Haidan. He is one of the founders of the Special Security Forces in Marib and previously served as its Chief of Staff before assuming command. There were no open-source reports or human rights documentation found implicating him personally in violations. However, SAM has documented abuses attributed to other security services that fall under Al-Sabri’s responsibilities, such as the Political Security Organization and units responsible for arrest and detention, without naming him directly.

Al-Falaj Checkpoint

Al-Falaj Checkpoint, located at the southern entrance of Marib City, is considered one of the most prominent security points in the governorate and has reportedly been the location of several security incidents in the past years.

There was no open-source information found on the date of its establishment; however, reports indicate that it has been active since 2016, with security measures reportedly reinforced following the closure of Sanaa International Airport, which made it a central checkpoint for travelers arriving from Sanaa via Marib.

Mwatana, along with other organizations, has documented violations linked to Al-Falaj Checkpoint, including arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. These reports also indicated direct links between the checkpoint and all security agencies affiliated with the recognized government, with accounts of arbitrary detention of passersby and reports of torture. A number of detainees remain forcibly disappeared as of the time the reports were prepared.

*A satellite image from Google Maps at coordinates 15.337111, 45.314618 showing* *Al-Falaj checkpoint. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.*

Visual comparisons based on published materials from different time periods show a match in the geographical features surrounding Al-Falaj Checkpoint. Comparisons between video footage from social media accounts such as Marib Al-Ward and Matnukh Marib (1, 2), and satellite imagery on Google Earth, reveal consistency in the terrain and structures, supporting the geolocation of the checkpoint.

*A screenshot from a* *video* of the bridge leading to Al-Falaj checkpoint, posted by the Marib Al-Ward account on X (formerly Twitter), compared with an October 2023 satellite image from Google Earth of the same bridge and the checkpoint. Captured and annotated by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.

*Screenshots from two videos* 1. 2. of structures at Al-Falaj checkpoint, posted by the Matnookh Marib account on X, with an October 2023 satellite image from Google Earth of the same checkpoint. Captured and annotated by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.

*A screenshot from a* *video* of a structure at Al-Falaj checkpoint, posted by the Matnookh Marib account on X, matched with an October 2023 satellite image from Google Earth of the same checkpoint. Captured and annotated by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.

From 2016 to 2026, several commanders have overseen Al-Falaj checkpoint:

In November 2016, Brigadier General Abdulghani Mohammed Shaalan, known as Abu Mohammed, assumed the duties of Commander of the Special Security Forces Branch in the governorate, a position he held until he was killed in 2021. Shaalan faced several accusations, as reported by Aden Time newspaper citing an official source in the Ministry of Interior, regarding the ‘Al-Falaj incident’, which resulted in the deaths of several members of the Wa’ila tribe as well as soldiers and officers at the checkpoint in 2018. He was alleged to have used his security authority to settle partisan scores, refused to implement judicial decisions to release detainees, and incited his soldiers to mutiny.
In 2021, Brigadier General Salim Al-Sayaghi was appointed as Shaalan’s successor, taking over as Commander of the Special Security Forces in Marib Governorate.
Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni newspaper reported that Captain Ali Yahya Ismail was the commander of Al-Falaj checkpoint until he was killed in January 2022 during clashes with the Houthis.
Since April 2024, Brigadier General Abdullah Al-Sabri has been Commander of the Special Security Forces in Marib, as appointed by the Minister of Interior. He oversees checkpoints, including Al-Falaj. He has appeared in joint inspection visits alongside Deputy Governor Major General Abdrabbuh Maftah and Marib Police Director-General Major General Yahya Ali Hamid, reportedly to assess the readiness of the checkpoint and facilitate the movement of travelers.

Prisons in Marib

Prisons in Marib are distributed across both official and secret facilities, including:

The prison of the Political Security Organization: The Political Security Organization, affiliated with the IRG, reportedly operates illegal detention facilities in Marib. According to Republican Decree Law No. (121) of 1992 establishing the Political Security Organization, it is administratively under the authority of the Presidency of the Republic, while legally and judicially it falls under the supervision and oversight of the Public Prosecution, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure (Articles 11 and 116).
Central Security Prison: Operated by the Central Security Forces, according to online maps this prison is located within a security compound that includes several facilities, such as a women’s prison and the Criminal Investigation Department.

*A screenshot of Google Maps showing the* *location* *of the Central Security Prison at coordinates 15.466282, 45.324573. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.*

Criminal Investigation Prison: This facility is used to detain individuals pending criminal investigation. Yemeni Archive was unable to determine the location of the Criminal Investigation Prison in Marib City due to the lack of open-source information.
Al-Saleh Institute Prison: According to SAM in its report titled The Long Absence, this informal prison is located inside what is known as the Al-Saleh Institute for Human Development in Marib city, near the Marib General Hospital. The institute covers a large area with four buildings surrounded by a wall, guarded by security forces. One of these buildings, consisting of four floors, is reportedly used as an informal detention center. The institute is under the control of the IRG.

*A screenshot of a satellite image from Google Maps appears to show the* *location* *of Al-Saleh Institute Prison, based on a* *description* by SAM in its report The Long Absence, which referred to a large area with four buildings surrounded by a wall near the Marib General Hospital. The site is likely situated near the Police Rescue Department (Shurtat al-Najda). The image was captured by Yemeni Archive on 6 April 2026.

Military Intelligence Prison: According to open-source information, this facility has been mentioned in testimonies of former detainees as an unofficial prison. Yemeni Archive was unable to determine its geographic location in Marib City due to the lack of available detailed open-source information.
Bin Gharib Prison: Known as an unofficial facility used for the detention of civilians. Yemeni Archive could not establish its geographic location in Marib City, as no detailed open-source information was found about the site.
Other prisons in remote areas: These include Wadi Ubaidah, Al-Ashraf, Al-‘Arq, Al-Sahn, and Al-Lajmah, which are reportedly used as sites for detaining or hiding prisoners.

Main Charges brought against Detainees in Marib

The accusations directed at detainees in Marib prisons are characterized by repetition and generality. The most prominent of these accusations include:

Hashemite lineage: According to reports by rights organizations, including Mwatana, this family/tribal lineage has been used as justification for detention, particularly in the context of sectarian and political tensions.
Alleged affiliation with the Houthi movement: Mwatana notes that some individuals have been detained based on their surnames or geographic origins, without investigative procedures that ensure fairness.
Political suspicion: such as supporting particular political figures or regimes, as in the case of Egyptian national Sahar Ragab Abdel Mohsen (see details below).
Other charges: including allegations of arms or drug smuggling, without publicly available evidence, as in the case of Mohammed Abdo Hassan Salbah (see details below).
Working for foreign or hostile entities: as in the case of Dr. Yusra Shater, who was accused of espionage while working with the World Health Organization (see details below).

Violations related to Arbitrary Detention in Areas Controlled by the IRG

According to the Justice for the Abductees report issued by the Abductees’ Mothers Association, and several other reports, violations have included:

Arbitrary arrest and lack of legal procedures: Individuals were detained without formal charges; some detainees were held for extended periods without charges or referral to the judiciary, and without adherence to legal procedures in arrest and detention; detainees were not informed of the reasons for their detention nor granted fair trials.
Physical and psychological torture: Some individuals were subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, electric shocks and solitary confinement in narrow underground cells.
Raids on homes and use of violence: Individuals’ homes were raided, often late at night, with violence used during arrests, sometimes extending to arrestees’ family members.
Detention in undisclosed locations: Individuals were held in undisclosed and unofficial sites - including houses, institutes, and mosques - leaving their families to search for them in hospitals or morgues.
Detention at checkpoints: Individuals were stopped at checkpoints based on suspicion, or due to their names or family affiliations, including at Al-Falaj checkpoint in Marib.
Regional and sectarian discrimination: Individuals were arrested solely based on their regional or sectarian identity, particularly in Aden and Marib.
Financial extortion and property forfeiture: Families of detainees were asked to pay money in exchange for information on their relatives’ whereabouts or for their release. In some cases, detainees were pressured to sign over property.
Transfer of detainees outside Yemen: Some detainees were transferred to external detention sites, including locations in Assab, Eritrea, or Saudi Arabia, such as in the case of Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil.
Denial of contact and visits: Detainees were prevented from contacting their families or receiving visits, increasing uncertainty about their fate.
Denial of responsibility: Authorities overseeing detention facilities denied any connection to them.
Denial of food and medical care: Detainees were provided poor-quality food, and deprived of ventilation, medical treatment, and access to sunlight.
Death after release: Some detainees died shortly after release due to what they endured during detention.
Ban on visits by rights organizations: Rights groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), were denied access to detention facilities.
Threats after release: Released detainees were forced to sign pledges not to speak about their experiences.
Release through guarantees or exchanges: Detainees were freed on personal guarantees or as part of prisoner exchanges, sometimes with restrictions on returning to their home areas.

Figures and Statistics

Between May 2016 and April 2020, Mwatana documented at least 31 cases of arbitrary detention and 4 cases of torture, including 3 deaths inside the Political Security Organization Prison in the city of Marib. According to monitoring teams from the Abductees’ Mothers Association, the total number of arbitrary detentions in Marib Governorate reached 78 cases from 2018 to 2022.

*Screenshot of a table from a* *report* published by the Abductees’ Mothers Association. The table documents 1,799 cases of arbitrary detentions across five Yemeni governorates between 2018 and 2022, including 78 cases in Marib Governorate. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 21 May 2025.

*Screenshot of a table from a* *report* published by the Abductees’ Mothers Association. The table documents 440 cases of enforced disappearance across five Yemeni governorates between 2018 and 2022, including 29 cases in Marib Governorate. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 21 May 2025.

*Screenshot of a table from a* *report* published by the Abductees’ Mothers Association. The table documents 865 cases of torture and ill-treatment across five Yemeni governorates between 2018 and 2022, including 40 cases in Marib Governorate. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 21 May 2025.

Alleged Perpetrators of enforced disappearances in Marib

SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties, in its report The Long Absence, referred to several security figures allegedly responsible for enforced disappearances based on testimonies of former victims and their families. Among these names are:

Ahmad Ali Saeed Hanshal, known by the alias Abu Osama, who serves as the Assistant Director of Security for Political Security Affairs for Marib Governorate, and is also considered the Deputy Director of the Political Security Organization. According to testimonies from families of victims and former detainees, including Egyptian citizen Sahar Ragab Abdelmohsen, Hanshal is reported to have supervisory authority and oversight of security matters and the Political Security prison in Marib city, where civilians and political detainees are held. Some of these individuals have been subjected to enforced disappearance or prolonged detention without trial. These testimonies point to his role in supervising arrests and managing detention facilities affiliated with the Political Security Organization.

Brigadier General Abdulghani Mohammed Shaalan, known as Abu Mohammed, who was, according to Tehama Press, the commander of the Special Security Forces in Marib until his death in February 2021. Reports indicated that he had oversight over the Political Security prison, where rights organizations documented violations including torture and enforced disappearance. Al-Falaj checkpoint (described above) was also under the authority of the Special Security Forces he commanded. Sources differ on the circumstances of his death: some attributed it to tribal tensions, while others reported that he was killed during fighting with the Houthis in Jabal al-Balaq in Sirwah district, west of Marib.

Case Studies of Unlawful Detention in Marib Prisons

As documented by human rights organizations and reported in the media

Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil

Amnesty International reported that Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil, Professor of Economics at Sanaa University and Head of the General Investment Authority in Sanaa, was arrested on 27 April 2017 at Al-Falaj checkpoint by forces affiliated with the IRG, while returning from an investment conference in Morocco. Amnesty stated that since his arrest, neither his lawyer nor his family has been able to contact him. They also noted that he was suffering from chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and blood clotting, and had been receiving regular treatment before his detention. No official explanation was issued by the authorities regarding the reasons for his arrest.

*Image of Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil, published by* *Mwatana. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 8 May 2025.*

In a Facebook post dated 14 April 2023, Mohammed Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil provided a detailed family account of Dr. Al-Mutawakkil’s travel in April 2017 to the conference in Morocco, his return through Seiyun Airport, his detention at Al-Falaj checkpoint, subsequent imprisonment in Marib, and eventual transfer to Saudi Arabia. According to the post, his wife, Dr. Ilham Al-Mutawakkil, attempted to visit him in May 2017 with a legal team and members of the Faculty Union, but her request was denied.

Another post by Mwatana stated that the family’s lawyer received a call from an unlisted number informing him that Al-Mutawakkil was no longer in Marib and had been transferred to Saudi Arabia. Testimonies from former detainees also indicated that he was subjected to mistreatment during his detention.

According to a statement attributed to Nasr Al-Din Amer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yemeni News Agency Saba, the actor responsible for Al-Mutawakkil’s continued detention is the Islah Party, which refused to release Al-Mutawakkil, declined to respond to requests from the Prisoners’ Affairs Committee in Sanaa, and eventually admitted to handing him over to Saudi authorities. In another post, his wife noted that the family repeatedly received promises of his inclusion in prisoner exchange deals, but his name never appeared in the final lists. On 10 July 2025, a post on his daughter’s Facebook page indicated that Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil remained in detention.

Amir Al-Din Jahaf

Amir al-Din Jahaf, a Yemeni student on a medical scholarship at Cairo University, was arrested at Al-Falaj checkpoint on 27 September 2016 while traveling from Sanaa to Seiyun Airport.

Facebook posts, including one by Mohammed Al-Nasser on 4 October 2016, noted that Jahaf is the son of Dr. Abdul Malik Jahaf, Deputy Governor of Hajjah for Financial and Administrative Affairs, appointed by the Houthis. He was also described as a member of the so-called “External Political Front to Resist Aggression” in Cairo. The post claimed he was stopped after his name was recognized at the checkpoint.

Another post by Sheikh Hamed Al-Hajj on 2 October 2016 stated that Jahaf had accompanied his father during their participation in fighting in Al-Bayda governorate.

According to the book Journey Behind Bars, attributed to Jahaf, he spent about five months in detention, moving between temporary holding facilities and security prisons. He reported being subjected to psychological mistreatment, isolation from the outside world, and denial of his legal rights, including being told verbally that he was held “on account of his father.” Independent sources have not confirmed these accounts.

Around February 2017, Amir al-Din Jahaf was released without trial or formal charges, reportedly following pressure from mediators and contacts in Marib. He currently serves as the head of Insan Rights and Freedoms Organization.

*Photograph of Amir Al-Din Jahaf, originally published by* *Al-Masirah* *newspaper. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 11 May 2025.*

Ibrahim Adel Haylan

Ibrahim Adel Ali Haylan, a 24-year-old from Ibb Governorate, worked as a barber and owned the Amaraa Barbershop in Marib since 2016.

According to SAM, Haylan was arrested at around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 26 December 2021, when a military force affiliated with the IRG raided his barbershop in Marib, allegedly searching for weapons. After the search, Haylan reportedly offered to appear for questioning if any charges were found against him, but the force blindfolded him and took him to an unknown location.

His family said they were unable to visit him despite filing a formal complaint with the Public Prosecution, which received no response. About two weeks later, they were notified of his death inside a detention facility affiliated with the Fourth Military Region in Marib, and his body was reportedly transferred to Al-Hay’ah Hospital for forensic examination.

Media and rights reports stated that Haylan was among dozens of people arrested in a broad campaign targeting barbers in Marib, following accusations of links to the Houthis after security forces claimed explosives had been found in some shops. While some media and local sources reported that the circumstances of his death remained unclear, other rights groups and outlets alleged that he was subjected to physical and psychological torture during detention. No independent reports have confirmed or refuted these claims.

*Image of Ibrahim Adel Ali Hayilan, originally published by the* *Yemeni Press Agency. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 12 May 2025.*

Mohammed Abdo Hassan Salbah

Mohammed Abdo Hassan Salbah, a 41-year-old from Hajjah Governorate, worked in customs clearance for 24 years at the Shahn border crossing in Al-Mahra. According to his testimony, he was arrested on 19 September 2016 at Al-Falaj checkpoint by forces affiliated with the Islah Party, without being presented with charges or a warrant.

During his detention, which lasted about three years and two months, Salbah reported being transferred between six detention facilities in Marib, where he was subjected to various forms of physical and psychological mistreatment. He said that accusations were made against him of smuggling weapons and drugs, despite the issuance of release orders from what he described as “higher authorities.” He further stated that his possessions were confiscated, including cash, a personal weapon, a vehicle, and phones, and that he was forced to pay money in exchange for food and the ability to contact his family.

According to his account, he was eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange deal with the Houthis. Following his release, he published a book titled Hell of Marib Under Occupation, in which he documented his experience during detention.

*Image of Mohammed Abdo Hassan Salbah, originally published by the official* *website* *of the Houthis’ Ministry of Defense, ‘26 September’. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 13 May 2025.*

Dr. Yusra Mohammed Hassan Shater

Yusra Mohammed Hassan Shater, born in 1985, from Hamdan District in Sanaa Governorate, works at the Higher Institute of Health Sciences in the capital. According to Insan Rights and Freedoms Organization and the Yemeni News Agency Saba, Dr. Shater was carrying out duties as part of a World Health Organization team as a central supervisor in vaccination campaigns against epidemics.

As part of her work, she was assigned to participate in a vaccination campaign in Marib Governorate, where Insan reported that on 24 September 2022 she was arrested by the Political Security Organization in Marib. According to her sister’s testimony, the arrest - at her residence in a hotel - was carried out despite her assignment being of a medical and humanitarian nature and officially coordinated with international bodies. Her sister stated that the accusations included collaboration (akin to spying), espionage, and undermining security.

According to a further interview published by Mwatana with her sister on 16 July 2024, the family has not been allowed to contact her or receive official information regarding her legal status since her arrest. As of the preparation of this report, no new official or civil society statements have been issued regarding her current status or whether she is still detained or has been released; Yemeni Archive was not able to find further updates on this case.

*Image of Dr. Yusra Mohammed Hassan Shater while carrying out her duties, originally posted by M. Mohmed Al-Nagri on* X. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 15 May 2025.

Naziha Nasser Al-Junaid

Naziha Nasser Al-Junaid, a journalist from Raymah Governorate, 43 years old and a mother of five children, was arrested in early January 2021 in Marib city by forces affiliated with the National Army of the IRG, according to documentation by Insan Rights and Freedoms Organization.

According to her family’s testimony, Al-Junaid suffered from asthma and was planning to travel to Cairo to receive treatment. Due to the non-recognition of passports issued by Houthi authorities in Sanaa, she traveled to Marib with a group of women to obtain an alternative passport. While in the city, she was arrested and transferred to a detention facility under the Political Security Organization. After six months, the women who were with her were released, while her detention continued, according to her family.

The last documented report addressing her case was published in early-2023 by Insan Organization. As of the preparation of this report, no open-source information or official or civil society statements were found that confirmed her current status or whether she has been released.

Sahar Ragab Abdel Mohsen

Sahar Ragab Abdel Mohsen, an Egyptian citizen aged 28, was arrested on 16 December 2018 during her journey from Seiyun Airport to Ibb Governorate, her Yemeni husband’s hometown, according to documentation by Insan Organization. Her husband, who some sources claimed was a Yemeni officer, was also arrested.

During a media interview, she stated that she was arrested by forces affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, meaning the Islah Party in Marib, and transferred to the Political Security Organization prison without a warrant or clear legal charges. She reported that she was six months pregnant at the time of her arrest, and that suspicion against her partly arose from having a photo of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on her phone.

She said she was held in solitary confinement for two months before being moved to the central women’s prison, where she remained for nearly four years. During detention, she gave birth to her daughter in a hospital with UNICEF support and was then returned to prison with the newborn.

She stated (posted by an X account now suspended but materials archived) that she was subjected, along with other detainees, to mistreatment, including beatings and physical abuse. She claimed that another inmate, Raja San’ani, died as a result of torture, a claim Yemeni Archive was unable to verify through open-sources. She also mentioned meeting other detainees during her imprisonment, including journalist Nuzaiha Al-Junaid and Dr. Yusra Al-Shater.

According to Insan Organization, Sahar Ragab Abdel Mohsen, her child, and her husband were released in late May 2023. They were reportedly placed under brief house arrest in a hotel in Marib city before later being able to move to Sanaa. No additional open-source reports were found clarifying the conditions of their release or her subsequent situation, or further details of her husband’s arrest.

*Screenshot of images* *published* *by Al Somoud News showing Egyptian citizen Sahar Ragab Abdel Mohsen. Captured by Yemeni Archive on 21 April 2026.*

Conclusion

This investigation is based on open-source investigations and analyses conducted by Yemeni Archive, indicates that human rights violations in prisons in Marib Governorate under the administration of the internationally recognized Yemeni government follow a recurring pattern. These violations reportedly include widespread arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, psychological and physical torture, and the absence of legal procedures, including depriving detainees of family contact and legal support, and the right to a fair trial.

Both official and secret prisons are managed by security agencies affiliated with the IRG or forces linked to the Islah Party, with some specific security officials documented as being involved. Detainees are reportedly often arbitrarily accused, frequently on the basis of regional or sectarian identity, and have potentially been used as bargaining chips in prisoner exchange deals.

The individual cases documented in this report, such as Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakkil, Dr. Yusra Shater, and journalist Nazeeha Al-Junaid, highlight the lack of accountability and the persistence of impunity, amid authorities’ continued refusal to allow families or rights organizations access to detention facilities or to investigate reported abuses.

Despite the continuation of arrests and enforced disappearances in Marib Governorate, these violations remain largely absent from local, regional, and international media coverage, and insufficiently documented in open-sources, further limiting the opportunities for accountability and redress.

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Violations in Marib Prisons under the Internationally Recognized Government

Table Of Contents

INVESTIGATIONS