Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expresses grave concern over the escalation of violations committed by the Houthi militia against public freedoms in Dhamar Governorate.

The militia has increasingly targeted civil society activists, journalists, writers, and singers in what appears to be a systematic policy of repression aimed at silencing dissenting voices and criminalizing peaceful expressions of national identity and allegiance to the Republic of Yemen.

According to information received by WJWC, civil activist Mohammed Mohammed Saleh Al-Yafa’i was abducted on May 15, 2025, by the Criminal Investigation Department under Houthi control. His arrest came after he peacefully called for the national flag of Yemen to be raised on public institutions during national holidays, particularly in the lead-up to the commemoration of Yemeni Unity Day on May 22.

Al-Yafa’i was reportedly detained following the publication of his appeal on Facebook. He has since been held at a criminal investigation facility without formal charges, access to legal counsel, or contact with his family. This constitutes a clear case of enforced disappearance, in direct violation of both Yemeni law and international human rights standards, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

On May 17, 2025, writer Abdel-Wahab Al-Harbi was detained at the same criminal investigation facility while attempting to visit Mohammed Al-Yafa’i. He was subjected to verbal abuse, and his personal phone was confiscated. He reportedly lost consciousness due to a deterioration in his health and was denied access to necessary medical care, remaining in inhumane detention conditions.

This incident marks Al-Harbi’s third detention in recent months. He was previously arrested in March 2025 for publicly criticizing human rights violations on Facebook, and again in September 2024, during a crackdown on activists commemorating the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

Journalist Fouad Al-Nahari was subjected to an attempted arbitrary arrest on May 15, 2025, when security forces affiliated with the Houthis raided his home in Dhamar. This action followed his filing of an official complaint about receiving threats of physical harm from unknown sources. Rather than investigating the threats, Houthi authorities responded with retaliatory measures against Al-Nahari.

He had previously been abducted in September 2024 due to his journalistic work and was held in forced detention for a month before being released.

WJWC has documented an ongoing pattern of repression in Houthi-controlled areas, particularly in Dhamar, where any form of peaceful expression of national identity or adherence to republican values is being criminalized.

Among recent cases is the arrest of artist Khalil Farhan, who was detained for performing national songs at a private event. He was later released, but his case illustrates the increasing restrictions placed on artistic freedom linked to expressions of Yemeni national culture.

In September 2024, multiple Houthi-controlled governorates experienced widespread crackdowns. Dozens of citizens were arrested for acts such as raising the national flag or chanting patriotic slogans—clear evidence of a systematic campaign to suppress republican symbolism and impose a monolithic ideological identity incompatible with civil and political plurality.

International Appeals

WJWC strongly condemns the ongoing violations perpetrated by the Houthi militia against civil activists, journalists, intellectuals, and singers in Dhamar and across areas under its control. The organization holds the militia fully responsible for these abuses and calls for urgent international action.

WJWC demands the following:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Al-Yafa’i and Abdel-Wahab Al-Harbi, and guarantees for their physical and psychological safety.
• Protection for journalist Fouad Al-Nahari and assurance of his right to carry out his work freely and without threat or reprisal.
• Prompt intervention by the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to halt these grave violations.
• The launch of independent and transparent international investigations to ensure accountability and end impunity for the perpetrators.

Women Journalists Without Chains reaffirms its commitment to monitoring and documenting human rights violations in Yemen. The organization continues to work through regional and international mechanisms to advocate for victims, expose abuses, and promote accountability. In light of ongoing repression and the collapse of the judicial system in areas under Houthi control, WJWC stresses the urgent need for international protection for journalists and civil society actors.

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expresses grave concern over the escalation of violations committed by the Houthi militia against public freedoms in Dhamar Governorate. The militia has increasingly targeted civil society activists, journalists, writers, and singers in what appears to be a systematic policy of repression aimed at silencing dissenting voices and criminalizing peaceful expressions of national identity and allegiance to the Republic of Yemen.

According to information received by WJWC, civil activist Mohammed Mohammed Saleh Al-Yafa’i was abducted on May 15, 2025, by the Criminal Investigation Department under Houthi control. His arrest came after he peacefully called for the national flag of Yemen to be raised on public institutions during national holidays, particularly in the lead-up to the commemoration of Yemeni Unity Day on May 22.

Al-Yafa’i was reportedly detained following the publication of his appeal on Facebook. He has since been held at a criminal investigation facility without formal charges, access to legal counsel, or contact with his family. This constitutes a clear case of enforced disappearance, in direct violation of both Yemeni law and international human rights standards, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

On May 17, 2025, writer Abdel-Wahab Al-Harbi was detained at the same criminal investigation facility while attempting to visit Mohammed Al-Yafa’i. He was subjected to verbal abuse, and his personal phone was confiscated. He reportedly lost consciousness due to a deterioration in his health and was denied access to necessary medical care, remaining in inhumane detention conditions.

This incident marks Al-Harbi’s third detention in recent months. He was previously arrested in March 2025 for publicly criticizing human rights violations on Facebook, and again in September 2024, during a crackdown on activists commemorating the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

Journalist Fouad Al-Nahari was subjected to an attempted arbitrary arrest on May 15, 2025, when security forces affiliated with the Houthis raided his home in Dhamar. This action followed his filing of an official complaint about receiving threats of physical harm from unknown sources. Rather than investigating the threats, Houthi authorities responded with retaliatory measures against Al-Nahari.

He had previously been abducted in September 2024 due to his journalistic work and was held in forced detention for a month before being released.

WJWC has documented an ongoing pattern of repression in Houthi-controlled areas, particularly in Dhamar, where any form of peaceful expression of national identity or adherence to republican values is being criminalized.

Among recent cases is the arrest of artist Khalil Farhan, who was detained for performing national songs at a private event. He was later released, but his case illustrates the increasing restrictions placed on artistic freedom linked to expressions of Yemeni national culture.

In September 2024, multiple Houthi-controlled governorates experienced widespread crackdowns. Dozens of citizens were arrested for acts such as raising the national flag or chanting patriotic slogans—clear evidence of a systematic campaign to suppress republican symbolism and impose a monolithic ideological identity incompatible with civil and political plurality.

International Appeals

WJWC strongly condemns the ongoing violations perpetrated by the Houthi militia against civil activists, journalists, intellectuals, and singers in Dhamar and across areas under its control. The organization holds the militia fully responsible for these abuses and calls for urgent international action.

WJWC demands the following:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Al-Yafa’i and Abdel-Wahab Al-Harbi, and guarantees for their physical and psychological safety.
• Protection for journalist Fouad Al-Nahari and assurance of his right to carry out his work freely and without threat or reprisal.
• Prompt intervention by the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to halt these grave violations.
• The launch of independent and transparent international investigations to ensure accountability and end impunity for the perpetrators.

Women Journalists Without Chains reaffirms its commitment to monitoring and documenting human rights violations in Yemen. The organization continues to work through regional and international mechanisms to advocate for victims, expose abuses, and promote accountability. In light of ongoing repression and the collapse of the judicial system in areas under Houthi control, WJWC stresses the urgent need for international protection for journalists and civil society actors.