On September 1, 2021, students in the College of Medicine at the University of Ibb, as well as the Vice-President of the College, were reportedly assaulted during a celebration organized for the return of a classmate. No injuries reported.

While details of this incident are limited, available sources indicate that the perpetrators — described as member of the Houthi militia but also as members of a Houthi-backed “student forum” — conveyed to the students their opposition to celebrations taking place at the university on morality-related grounds. SAR has previously reported Houthi forces intervening in similar campus events at institutions where the militia has taken control.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force against students and a university administrator. Armed groups have an obligation to respect the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and should respect institutional autonomy, including by refraining from occupying or intervening in the affairs of higher education institutions. Raids on campuses and the use of force against students and other personnel undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=177115
https://www.khabaragency.net/news153608.html
https://almasdaronline.com/articles/234064/amp/