The killing of citizen Saif Mahmoud Faraj al-Sharaabi on Monday, December 30, 2024, in the al-Masbah district of central Taiz, due to direct gunfire from armed individuals in front of his residence, was closely monitored by Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC).

According to information received by WJWC, the conflict started when the victim requested that the armed men leave the area around his house because they were disturbing the neighbors until late at night. After a verbal disagreement escalated, one of the armed men, 'Walid Kamel Abdulraqib,' shot him in front of his family, killing him. The offender reportedly left the scene and has not yet been taken into custody.

The family and neighbors, already dealing with the worsening security situation and the proliferation of gunmen, were shocked and alarmed by the incident, which happened in front of his family members. The organization also reviewed a document revealing that the victim had complained to the head of the Taiz Public Prosecution Office over a year ago about the perpetrator's threats and weapon brandishing inside the Awsifrah Police Station, in front of the station's deputy director and several officers. This shows that the appropriate authorities were blatantly careless in handling the criminal's repeated threats and in not taking decisive action to stop him.

The sporadic distribution of weapons in civilian areas of Taiz and other Yemeni cities is a significant concern for WJWC. Additionally, it strongly criticizes the security authorities' laxity and incompetence in protecting citizens' safety and security, which directly endangers civilian lives and contributes to the escalation of crimes and human rights violations. The organization emphasizes that the ongoing, unchecked, and unaccountable distribution of firearms undermines security and stability and exposes a serious flaw in the application of the law.

Women Journalists Without Chains vehemently denounces this heinous crime and urges the appropriate authorities to launch a prompt and transparent investigation to determine the facts, apprehend the offender, and provide justice to the victim's family. It also calls on the local government to take responsibility and implement stringent measures to keep Taiz safe and shield its residents from the violence of unsecured firearms.

To provide a secure and stable environment for citizens, the organization emphasizes the importance of stopping the spread of random armament and enacting legislation that prohibits the distribution of firearms. Additionally, it conveys its full support for the victim's family.

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains

January 2, 2025