IV. The Information Blackout

With the beginning of the fourth round of fighting in February 2007, the Yemeni government imposed an information blackout on Sa'da governorate that remained in effect into October 2008 for most journalists, leading to a lack of information on the needs of war-affected civilians.[36] The authorities banned both local and foreign journalists from traveling anywhere in Sa'da governorate and cut off most subscribers from the mobile phone network covering that area; only a few government-vetted individuals were allowed to access the network.[37] Between the fourth and fifth rounds of violence (June 2007 to May 2008), the government prohibited aid agencies from traveling outside a limited number of towns. During the fifth war (early May to mid-July 2008), the government imposed an almost total prohibition on their movement throughout Sa'da governorate (see below).

The government has threatened journalists covering the conflict and arbitrarily arrested internet webmasters and others with information on civilian casualties.[38] Leading Yemeni journalists told Human Rights Watch that although they could use secondary sources to report in a general way on the war, redlines included criticism of President Saleh, reference to military loses, and anything that could be construed as "undermining Yemen's unity."[39] Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qurbi, speaking about the prosecution of journalist Abd al-Karim al-Khaiwani, told Human Rights Watch that the government's restrictions on journalists were an attempt to "differentiate between freedom of expression and journalistic crimes."[40]

The government does not publish information about civilian casualties, humanitarian needs, or war damage to civilian property. In private, officials have accused the Huthis of committing atrocities such as summary executions.[41] The government's information blackout and restrictions on movement throughout Sa'da governorate has prevented independent and reliable reporting on the impact of the fighting on civilians. Some of those persons the government arrested were said to be carrying photographs of civilian deaths and destroyed property.[42]

Usually citing anonymous sources, the Yemeni press has reported that the government used fighter jets, helicopters, tanks and artillery to attack Huthi positions in mostly rural areas but also in heavily populated towns, most recently in Bani Hushaish, Dhahyan, Haidan, and Harf Sufyan.[43] Some media reported that the Huthis used heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns.[44] Several people, including staff from international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), told Human Rights Watch that both sides have used landmines.[45]

The Huthis have been keen to provide journalists with information about the civilian impact, often claiming high numbers of civilian casualties in specific incidents, which some websites and newspapers have reported.[46]Arab media have cited anonymous sources when referring to Huthi military tactics and to government aerial bombardment of Huthi positions and areas still inhabited by civilians, referring to individual incidents in which dozens of civilians have been killed.[47] If accurate, these reports suggest that four years of war have killed hundreds–if not thousands–of civilians, as well as Huthi fighters and government military personnel.