Health of Survivors of Houthi Prisons Deteriorates

A photo posted on Twitter shows journalist Tawfiq Al-Mansouri after his health deteriorated.
A photo posted on Twitter shows journalist Tawfiq Al-Mansouri after his health deteriorated.
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Health of Survivors of Houthi Prisons Deteriorates

A photo posted on Twitter shows journalist Tawfiq Al-Mansouri after his health deteriorated.
A photo posted on Twitter shows journalist Tawfiq Al-Mansouri after his health deteriorated.

Dozens of survivors from the Houthi prisons have seen their health deteriorate as a result of the physical and psychological torture they suffered while in detention, Yemeni sources revealed.

Medical sources in Marib revealed that journalists Tawfiq Al-Mansouri and Harith Hamid were transferred to hospital after their health deteriorated days after their release from Houthi prison in a prisoner swap with the Yemeni government last month.

Yemeni Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani confirmed the news, saying the journalists suffered from brutal torture over the years.

The development sheds light once again on the tragic conditions of thousands of people who have been abducted by the Houthis and still remain in their prisons, he added.

In a statement to the state news agency Saba, he described as “war crimes and crimes against humanity” the psychological and physical torture, neglect and lack of health care that hundreds of politicians, media professionals, journalists, and other civilians are being subject to in the Houthi jails and detention centers.

The minister called on the international community, United Nations, UN special envoy to Yemen, and human rights organizations to pressure the Houthis to halt their systematic torture of detainees and to release all prisoners in swap deal, while ensuring that those involved are held accountable.

Rights reports documented the killing of seven civilians who were kidnapped and tortured in Houthi detention centers in 2022. They accused the group of crimes of torture against 120 abductees.

Right organizations have also documented the killing of around 300 civilian abductees under torture in Houthi camps since the beginning of their coup.



Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
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Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced "considerable concern" about the Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel "respect its humanitarian obligations".

The Gaza Strip, where nearly all 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has been subjected to a strict blockade since March 2 and is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israeli authorities claim that the blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages.

"In the West Bank as well, Palestinians need political and economic future prospects so that hatred and extremism no longer find fertile grounds," Wadephul said.

His visit comes at a time when Israel and Germany are preparing to celebrate 60 years of joint diplomatic relations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected in Berlin on Monday, while his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel on Tuesday.