Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Yemeni media community has witnessed a broad wave of condemnation and denunciation following the assassination of journalist Mohammed Aydhah, a correspondent for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath TV channels. He was killed when an explosive device planted in his car detonated in the city of Mukalla, in Hadramawt Governorate.
Media, human rights, and press organizations stressed that the crime represents a serious attack on press freedom and a direct targeting of media professionals. They called for an urgent and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The Media Freedoms Observatory (Marsadak) condemned the crime, expressing shock and deep concern over the targeting of journalists. The organization stated that assassinating media workers not only targets individuals but also undermines society’s right to knowledge and access to information. It urged security and judicial authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the incident and hold those responsible accountable, noting that Mohammed Aydhah had previously received threats and had reported them to security authorities.
The observatory also pointed out that this crime is part of a series of similar attacks against journalists in Yemen over recent years, including the killings of journalist Rasha Al-Harazi and journalist Saber Al-Haidari through explosive devices planted in their vehicles. It warned against the continuing climate of impunity and stated that Mohammed Aydhah’s death raises the number of journalists and media workers killed in Yemen since 2015 to 71.
For its part, the National Organization of Yemeni Journalists (Sada) strongly condemned the crime, describing it as a “horrific terrorist act” targeting a journalist while carrying out his professional duties. The organization emphasized that the incident constitutes a blatant violation of national laws and international conventions concerning the protection of journalists. It called on security agencies and local authorities in Hadramawt to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation and pursue both the perpetrators and those behind the attack.
Sada renewed its call on relevant authorities to provide a safe environment for journalistic work and to adopt effective measures to protect media professionals from violence and targeted attacks. It also urged human rights organizations and local and international journalists’ unions to condemn the crime and exert pressure to ensure justice is achieved.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Journalists, Media Professionals, and Activists of the Eastern Governorates issued a statement condemning and denouncing the incident, describing it as a treacherous terrorist crime and a blatant assault on press freedom and the public’s right to access information. The coalition called on the competent security and judicial authorities to conduct an urgent and transparent investigation, track down those involved, and hold them accountable. It also urged international and regional organizations concerned with press freedom and human rights to play their role in pressuring for the identification of the perpetrators and strengthening protections for journalists.
All three organizations expressed their full solidarity with the family of Mohammed Aydhah and his colleagues. They reiterated the need to protect journalists and ensure that perpetrators of crimes against them do not escape punishment, thereby helping to strengthen press freedom and safeguard media workers in Yemen.
