Journalist Mohammed Aidha, correspondent for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels, was assassinated in Mukalla, Hadramout, on Thursday evening following the detonation of an explosive device planted in his vehicle. Official statements have revealed significant security negligence in providing protection for the journalist despite prior threats.
Aidha succumbed to injuries sustained from a locally manufactured explosive device that had been placed beneath the front passenger seat of his car, according to a statement from the General Administration of Security and Police in Hadramout. Forensic examination and evidence collection have yielded crucial technical clues currently under analysis to identify those involved in planning and executing the attack.
The Governor of Hadramout and member of the Presidential Leadership Council, Salem Al-Khanbashi, stated in televised remarks that several suspects have been detained in connection with the incident, though further details were not provided. Governor Al-Khanbashi had previously directed security agencies to promptly launch a comprehensive investigation into the assassination and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
This directive followed an hour-long instruction from the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, to form a high-level joint committee comprising the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Agency, and Military Intelligence, in coordination with a local committee from the Hadramout Governorate, to investigate the assassination.
Journalists and associates of Mohammed Aidha confirmed that his assassination followed months of reported threats, allegedly from cells believed to be affiliated with the Houthi terrorist militia. Governor Al-Khanbashi corroborated these threats, noting that Aidha had informed him directly of receiving assassination threats from Houthi-affiliated groups. The governor highlighted that Aidha had been a target since fleeing Sana'a due to his media work exposing the Houthi militia.
Al-Khanbashi revealed that he met with Aidha just two days before the attack, during which the journalist expressed his fear, stating, "I am afraid of being targeted." The governor advised Aidha to minimize his movements and remain at home for his safety. The assassination underscores the extent of security failures, as Aidha had repeatedly alerted authorities to the threats against him without adequate protection, despite swift directives for an investigation post-assassination.
