Yemeni Human Rights Activist Survives Assassination Attempt Amid Rising Attacks on Rights Defenders

Yemeni human rights activist Mujahid Hassan Ali al-Qab survived an assassination attempt late Tuesday after an unknown gunman opened fire on his home in the al-Qahifa area of Dhuban, north of al-Turbah in Taiz Governorate, according to information obtained by Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC).

The attack occurred on the evening of August 26, 2025, when a bullet pierced the front door of his house and struck him in the lower back of the neck. Al-Qab was rushed to Khalifa General Hospital in al-Turbah, where doctors provided emergency treatment and confirmed that his condition was stable. However, the bullet remains lodged in his body, requiring specialized surgical intervention.

Local security forces in the al-Shamayateen district have launched an initial investigation, gathering evidence from the scene. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Qab is widely recognized as one of Yemen’s leading human rights defenders. He has played a central role in documenting violations in Al Hodaidah Governorate, particularly the plight of civilians injured or killed by landmines laid by Houthi forces. In addition to his independent work, he serves as a human rights monitor for the Office of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen and leads the Monitoring Organization for Rights and Development, a civil society group.

His targeting has raised concerns that the attack was directly linked to his activism.

Calls for Accountability

In a statement, Women Journalists Without Chains strongly condemned the attack, calling it “a blatant assault on the right to life and personal security” and an attempt to silence voices exposing rights abuses in Yemen.

“This crime constitutes a systematic threat to human rights work in the country,” the organization said, urging Yemeni authorities in Taiz to conduct an urgent and transparent investigation, prosecute those responsible, and prevent impunity.

The group also appealed to the United Nations, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, and the international community to take “serious steps” to protect human rights defenders and ensure a safe environment for their work.

Escalating Threats to Activists

The incident underscores growing dangers faced by activists in Yemen, where armed groups and local authorities alike have been accused of harassment, intimidation, and targeted violence against human rights defenders.

Al-Qab and his family remain under protection concerns, with rights groups calling for immediate security guarantees to ensure his safety during recovery and beyond.