Lahj – Two Yemeni youths sustained serious injuries on Thursday following the explosion of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Houthi militias along a rural road leading from Qadash area in Karsh district, located in the southern province of Lahj.

Local sources reported that the victims were traveling on foot when the devices detonated unexpectedly, causing multiple shrapnel wounds and burns. Residents rushed to the scene and transported the injured to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment. Their conditions are reported to be stable but require further care.

The incident is part of a disturbing pattern of landmine and IED attacks attributed to Houthi forces, who have reportedly laid thousands of explosive devices across roads, farms, and residential areas in contested regions of Yemen. These devices continue to pose a deadly threat to civilians, especially in areas previously under Houthi control or near active frontlines.

Human rights organizations and local authorities have repeatedly condemned the use of landmines and explosive traps, calling them a violation of international humanitarian law and a deliberate tactic to terrorize and restrict civilian movement.

“This is yet another reminder of the hidden dangers facing Yemenis every day,” said a local official in Lahj. “We urge the international community to support demining efforts and hold perpetrators accountable.”

The explosion in Qadash comes amid ongoing tensions in southern Yemen, where sporadic clashes and security threats continue to undermine stability and obstruct humanitarian access. Civil society groups have called for urgent mine clearance operations and increased awareness campaigns to protect vulnerable communities.

Yemen remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with thousands of casualties reported over the past decade due to explosive remnants of war.