Houthis repurpose 20 of Foreign Embassies in Sanaa into Military Facilities, Violating International Law: P.T.O.CYemen says
The Yemen-based P.T.O.C Center for Research and Specialized Studies has said that the Houthi militia repurposed 20 foreign embassy compounds in Sanaa into military bases, weapons depots, and security operation centers. The findings accuse the group of breaching the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects diplomatic premises from hostile use.
Citing field sources and satellite imagery, the report said the Houthis exploited diplomatic immunity to stockpile arms, station military leaders, and convert embassy buildings into intelligence hubs and barracks. Specific compounds were allegedly used to store heavy weaponry—including drones and missile fuel—while others hosted communication centers, espionage operations, and high-level militia meetings.
The investigation further asserts that some embassies now serve as residences for Houthi officials, sites for weapon production, and detention facilities for interrogations. Funds looted during Yemen’s conflict are also reportedly stored in these locations. The P.T.O.C Center labeled the actions “systematic war crimes” and urged international accountability, citing the Houthis’ “blatant disregard” for diplomatic norms and global peace efforts.
In response, the center demanded immediate intervention by the United Nations and foreign governments to secure diplomatic properties, prosecute violators, and curb further militarization of civilian infrastructure. It vowed to continue documenting violations by all parties exacerbating Yemen’s decade-long war, which has destabilized the region.
