Al-Mukalla (South24 Center)

Journalists and media professionals in Al-Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout Governorate, organized a silent vigil on Monday, June 29, in solidarity with Mohammed Aidah, the correspondent for Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels, who was assassinated last week in an explosive-device attack that targeted his car in the city.

The vigil was attended by correspondents and representatives of local and Arab media outlets, alongside photographers, media workers, civil society organizations, and social, human rights figures.

South24’s correspondent in Al-Mukalla attended the protest. Participants condemned Aidah’s killing, calling for a transparent investigation to identify those involved in the crime and ensure they are held accountable.

Protesters raised photos of Aidah and banners rejecting violence against journalists and media professionals, stressing that the attack represents a direct threat to press freedom in Hadramout and Yemen in general.

They warned that impunity for crimes against journalists would further undermine the safety of media work.

At the conclusion of the vigil, participants issued a statement calling on the authorities to expedite the investigations, disclose the circumstances of the crime to the public, and refer all suspects and those involved in the attack to justice.

The statement also urged official and community actors to help provide a safe environment that enables journalists to carry out their work freely and responsibly.

Aidah was killed on Wednesday evening, June 24, after an explosive device planted in his car detonated in Al-Mukalla. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi told Al-Arabiya on June 25 that Aidah had spoken to him two days before his death about fears over threats targeting him. According to the governor, Aidah had previously said he felt targeted by the Houthis because of his media work.

Al-Khanbashi added that security and intelligence officials, along with a specialized explosives and mines team, arrived at the scene shortly after the blast. He said a number of suspects had been detained for questioning.

International press freedom organizations condemned Aidah’s killing and called for accountability.

The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Yemen’s internationally recognized government to conduct an immediate and transparent investigation, while the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders called for an independent inquiry into the attack.

Aidah’s killing has renewed concerns over the safety of journalists in Yemen, where media workers have faced years of threats, detentions, assassination attempts, and attacks linked to the country’s wider conflict.