Amid calls for investigation… 90 journalists were killed in 12 years in Yemen news

A Yemeni organization revealed that more than 90 journalists and media professionals have been killed in the country since the outbreak of war about 12 years ago, amid mounting calls to open investigations into the assassination incidents and hold those involved accountable.

The National Organization of Yemeni Journalists “Sada” (a non-governmental organization) reported in a statement during a protest it called in the city of Ma’rib (east of the capital, Sana’a), that among this toll were 32 crimes during the year 2025, and two murders during the first half of the current year, 2026.

It considered that “this bloody toll reflects the desire of the parties to the conflict to impose a comprehensive media blackout and consolidate the culture of impunity, which has led to the destruction of the independent media environment and the classification of Yemen as one of the most dangerous environments for journalists in the world,” according to what was reported by Anadolu Agency.

The protesters at the protest denounced the violations targeting press freedoms in the country, holding up pictures of journalists who had been killed over the past years, the most recent of whom was Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channel correspondent Muhammad Aydah, who was killed last Wednesday in the explosion of an explosive device that targeted his car in the city of Mukalla in Hadramaut Governorate, eastern Yemen.

Calls for investigation and accountability

Sada Organization said that it is “following with great concern the escalation of murders and assassinations targeting journalists and media workers in Yemen, which represent a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights conventions.”

The organization called for the opening of urgent, transparent and independent international and local investigations into the crimes of assassinating journalists, and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

In addition, media reporters and representatives, civil society organizations, human rights organizations, and social figures organized a silent stand in the city of Mukalla, Hadramaut Governorate, in front of the headquarters of the local authorities, to denounce the killing of “Aydah.”

The participants in the protest stressed their demand to quickly complete investigations, uncover all circumstances of the crime, and bring all those involved to justice, stressing the importance of protecting journalists.

The assassination of journalist Aidha received widespread condemnation, including from the UN envoy to Yemen and foreign embassies, while the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, directed the formation of a higher committee to investigate the circumstances of his murder.

The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, in cooperation with the International Federation of Journalists, has previously documented widespread violations against journalists during the years of war, including thousands of cases of killing, detention, and attacks, in addition to harsh sentences, torture, blocking websites, and arbitrary dismissals.