Mocha: Rape is one of the most heinous crimes committed against humanity, which was unheard of in Yemen. Unfortunately, it has spread in a frightening manner in the occupied areas and governorates, which the aggression and its tools have turned into a stage for the most heinous crimes and violations against the people. The city of Mocha, under the control of UAE mercenaries led by Tariq Afash, has become a focal point for such crimes, with a recent incident involving an orphan girl sparking widespread outrage among the residents and on social media.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Yakhtal area in Mocha saw protests denouncing the rape of the eight-year-old girl by a clinic worker. The residents expressed anger at the complicity of the security services affiliated with the mercenaries, accusing them of colluding with the perpetrator by not arresting him despite a complaint filed immediately after the crime. This inaction led to demonstrations demanding the perpetrator’s arrest.
Residents reported that the perpetrator exploited the poverty-stricken circumstances of the girl’s family to commit the crime, which the protesters viewed as an attack on the honor of all Tihama and Yemen. This incident is not isolated, as previous cases of rape by aggression mercenaries on the West Coast have been reported, indicating a complete moral collapse among these forces.
Al Mokha District and other occupied areas have witnessed numerous atrocities, including the rape of six girls by UAE mercenaries in the Al Juwair and Al Suwaihra areas in Hays District, Al Hudaydah Governorate. Similar crimes have been reported in Hays District and Al-Khokha, involving both local and foreign mercenaries.
The forces of mercenary Tariq Afash have been implicated in other violent acts, such as the murder of Abdullah Ali Barra during an attempted rape of his nephew’s wife. In 2019, further incidents of rape by Emirati and Sudanese mercenaries were reported, highlighting a pattern of abuse and impunity.
Armed confrontations have occurred in Mocha between rival battalions, exacerbating the security and humanitarian conditions in these areas under UAE control. The lack of protection from security services only increases the residents’ vulnerability to such crimes.
As the occupation continues, the prevalence of rape and other violations persists, reflecting the moral bankruptcy of the occupying forces. The silence of international human rights organizations adds to the plight of Yemenis, as they endure ongoing aggression and exploitation by occupying forces and their mercenaries.