Rights Organization Demands Independent Investigations Into Crimes Against Yemeni Journalists

July 30, 2026

Author: Faryal Fatima

HRRC condemns all attacks on journalists in Yemen, including arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances. We urge all involved parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect freedom of the press, free the illegally detained journalists, conduct rapid, independent investigations and prosecute those who are responsible for violating their rights, bringing an end to impunity.

Mohammed Aydah’s car after an explosive device planted inside it killed him in Mukalla, Yemen, on June 25, 2026. Image credit: Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the assassination of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath journalist Mohammed Ayedha, who was killed after an explosive device was placed in his car on June 24 in Mukalla, Hadramout, Yemen. The group expressed their concern about his death, which comes after numerous incidents targeting journalists during the ongoing war.

HRW’s statement also referenced journalist Hamoud Haza'a, who was arrested in Marib on June 27 for attending a public gathering. He was detained for two days without access to family or legal counsel. He was later freed upon signing an agreement stating that he would not criticize the internationally recognized government of Yemen or the Minister of Information.

The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate condemned Aydah’s murder, saying the attack “added to a series of crimes and violations against journalists and media workers, including the assassination of journalists Rasha al-Harazi and Saber al-Haidari in Aden in 2022.”

“More than 90 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of Yemen's conflict in 2015,” the National Organization of Yemeni Reporters said in a statement, citing the parties to the conflict's desire to establish a full media shutdown and a culture of impunity.

International Humanitarian Law obligates all warring parties to protect civilians, including journalists, who are not taking a direct part in hostilities. Laws further protect journalists’ rights to liberty, security of person, and freedom of expression, and prohibits arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.

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Glossary

1. Abducting: To force someone to go somewhere with you, often using threats or violence.

2. Arbitrary detention: When an individual is arrested and detained by a government without due process (a course of formal proceedings carried out in accordance with established rules) and without the legal protections of a fair trial.

3. Assassination: Murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons.

4. Condemned: An act declared to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil.

5. Criticized: to find fault with or point out the faults of.

6. Detained: to force someone officially to stay in a place.

7. Enforced disappearance: An enforced disappearance is considered to be the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State.

8. Impunity: Freedom from punishment or from the unpleasant results of something that has been done.

9. Press freedom: The right of newspapers to publish news and opinions without being controlled by the government.

10. Warring: Fighting a war.