Despite overall decrease in
civilian casualties, number of fatalities increases 172 civilian casualties were reported as a direct result of armed violence in Yemen over the past month, bringing the total civilian casualty count so far this year to 1,552. Although in total this marks a slight drop in civilian casualties, down from 176 in May, the number of fatalities among the casualties increased by 19%, from 51 to 63. The June civilian casualty count was below the monthly average seen during the first half of 2022, of 259. Ta’izz saw more civilian casualties than any other governorate, at 28, followed by 25 in Hudaydah. For the second month in a row, explosive remnants of war (ERW), including landmines, UXO and IEDs, were responsible for the highest numbers of civilian casualties, at 68, followed by 42 civilian small arms fire (SAF) casualties.
Two thirds of the child casualties reported during June were the result of ERW 32 children were killed and injured by armed violence in Yemen in June 2022, up 68% from the 19 children reported among the civilian casualties in May. Two thirds (21) of the child casualties in June were the result of ERW explosions, including 12 on account of UXO explosions and nine landmine victims. Children remain particularly vulnerable to UXO incidents, likely due to a combination of heightened inquisitiveness and lack of threat awareness. Another three children were killed and five injured amid remote violence in frontline areas, including four as a result of drone incidents, and another four as a result of shelling incidents,
predominantly in Hudaydah, Ta’izz and Dali’.
First half of 2022 sees highest average monthly civilian ERW casualty count on CIMP records 68 civilian ERW casualties were reported in Yemen during June, down from 90 in May, but still the second highest monthly ERW casualty count in the country this year. The first half of 2022 saw 342 civilian ERW casualties, including 186 landmine casualties, 82 IED casualties, and 74 UXO casualties. If civilian ERW casualty numbers continue on the same trajectory during the second half of the year, the total would well exceed any other year on CIMP records. The monthly average civilian ERW casualty count in 2022 of 57 is already 63% higher than that
seen during 2021. The increase appears to have coincided with de-escalations along many of Yemen’s frontlines, most notably in Hudaydah on account of the frontlines shifting at the end of 2021, but also more broadly following the country-wide truce entering into force at the start of April. It is possible the increased freedom of movement among civilians in light of the de-escalation, coupled with limited public awareness of the risks posed by ERW, has resulted in heightened exposure to the threat, as civilians move through or return to areas that have not been cleared of devices.
Drone incidents increase for third consecutive month Drone incidents were responsible for 18 civilian casualties over the past month, the
highest civilian drone casualty count reported in one month on CIMP records. Numbers of drone incidents being reported have been on the rise since the truce commenced at the start of April, with weekly reports of civilian houses being impacted in frontline areas. June marked the third consecutive month to see an increase in reports of drone incidents impacting civilian homes, with 22 such incidents reported, the vast majority of which were in Dali’ (9) and Ta’izz (8), displacing as many as 106 households. Conversely, the number of artillery incidents reported to have impacted civilian houses during June decreased for the second consecutive month, down to six, from 17 during May, the lowest on CIMP records.
Small arms fire responsible for 42 civilian casualties Amid ongoing civil frustrations over a host of grievances, from high commodity prices and poor service provision, to failed salary payments, access constraints and general insecurity, a steady stream of shooting incidents continue to be reported on a weekly basis, many driven by localised disputes escalating. Throughout June, 42 civilian SAF casualties were reported in 18 separate incidents, which is the second highest monthly total this year. Half of the incidents were driven by disputes, and there were another three that were the result of armed clashes among local factions. Ta’izz saw the highest number of SAF casualties, at six.
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