Statement on the Disappearance of Journalist Ahmed Awadhah in Sana’a
The Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen has received a report from the family of journalist Ahmed Awadhah regarding his disappearance in Sana’a since March 10, 2025, with no information available about his fate to date. The Observatory holds the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) fully responsible for this disappearance, especially since he had been threatened just days before vanishing by a member of the intelligence services affiliated with Houthis, known for a notorious record of targeting and persecuting journalists.
The situation of journalists in areas under Houthi control has become a matter of serious concern, as they are subjected daily to repressive practices aimed at silencing their voices and preventing them from performing their work freely.
Journalists in these areas face strict censorship, continuous threats, and arbitrary arrests and summonses. Dozens have been detained, while others have faced restrictions and severe warnings due to their criticism of the authorities or work for media outlets not aligned with the Houthi group’s ideology.
There is also intense surveillance of content published on social media, in blatant violation of their legitimate rights.
Accordingly, the Media Freedoms Observatory calls on the Houthi group to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Ahmed Awadhah and disclose his whereabouts. It also renews its call for the release of journalists Waheed Al-Sufi, Mohammed Al-Miyahi, Nabil Al-Saddawi, and Mohammed Al-Hutami, as well as all other journalists arbitrarily detained in Houthi prisons.
The Observatory affirms that these practices constitute a flagrant violation of freedom of opinion and expression, as guaranteed by Yemeni and international laws. It holds the Houthi group legally and morally responsible for the safety of all detained journalists.
The Observatory also urges the international community and human rights organizations to exert maximum pressure to ensure respect for journalists’ rights and the immediate release of all detainees.
Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen
March 14, 2025