In the wake of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the haunting experiences of individuals detained in secret facilities continue to surface. One Yemeni prisoner has come forward to share his harrowing account of the torture he endured in a UAE-operated prison. Ali Hassan, who was imprisoned for more than two years, reveals details of the appalling conditions and maltreatment that marked his incarceration. His story sheds light on the continued human rights abuses that occur behind the closed doors of these hidden prisons.
The Unforgettable Nightmare of Imprisonment
More than six years have passed since Ali Hassan was released from a secret prison in Hadramout, eastern Yemen, yet the horrors he faced linger vividly in his memory. The 39-year-old recalled, “It was an extremely bitter and painful experience,” describing how he was held in a clandestine facility operated by the United Arab Emirates and local Yemeni forces known as the Hadrami Elite Forces, situated within the presidential palace in Hadramout.
In a phone interview, Ali recounted his ordeal: “They stripped me of my clothes and used cold water. I was first interrogated by members of the Hadrami Elite Forces and then handed over to Emirati officers.” His detention spanned two separate instances, first in 2016 and again in 2017.
Conditions Beyond Comprehension
Ali’s descriptions of the prison conditions paint a grim picture: “The prison was not fit even for animals. Closed and dark rooms, with hands tied and eyes blindfolded. Twenty days passed without a chance to clean myself.” He detailed the brutal physical torture, multiple instances of solitary confinement, and frequent beatings that he endured.
False Allegations and Political Manipulation
Ali’s entrapment began after a bomb explosion in Hadramout. “I was falsely accused of belonging to the Islah Party,” he declared, firmly denying any affiliation with the main opposition party in Yemen. He emphasized, “I have no political party affiliation. Even the investigator later told me, ‘I have nothing against you, but the Emiratis wanted you.'”
The Struggle for Justice
In 2019, Ali was transferred to the central prison in Hadramout, where he appeared before a judge, eventually being released without any charges filed against him. His case, along with those of many other prisoners, has recently gained renewed attention following the announcement by Hadramout Governor Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi. He revealed the discovery of “secret prisons in areas where Emirati forces are stationed.”
The governor expressed regret over the contents found inside UAE bases and camps—particularly around Al-Rayan International Airport—including explosives and dangerous components typically associated with terrorist groups, alongside the revelation of hidden prisons within those military zones.