The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has documented numerous human rights violations in Yemen over the past three months, perpetrated by parties to the ongoing conflict. These violations include obstructing the work of the United Nations in the country, the continued arbitrary detention of both a prominent human rights lawyer and a writer, the targeting of journalists, media professionals, and other activists, and the imposition of severe restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Armed men stormed the headquarters of Aden Al-Ghad newspaper

On the morning of 01 February 2026, armed men stormed the offices of the “Aden Al-Ghad” newspaper in Aden, destroying its equipment and contents and looting some of its tools and equipment. Two newspaper employees were injured in the attack.

The newspaper announced on its website that the perpetrators were armed elements affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council. The attack was followed by widespread expressions of solidarity from citizens and press and human rights organisations both inside and outside the country, who condemned the brutal attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and for press freedom to be protected.

In its edition on 04 February 2026, “Aden Al-Ghad” confirmed the commencement of an official investigation into the attack and the issuance of security directives to apprehend the perpetrators.

Houthi group continues targeting the UN

The UN announced that on 29 January 2026, the de facto Houthi authorities entered at least six unoccupied UN offices in the capital, Sana’a, and transferred most of the communications equipment and several UN vehicles to an undisclosed location (main photo). This was stated in a press release issued the following day by the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Julien Harneis.

Harneis confirmed that “the UN did not authorise the transfer of these assets, nor did the de facto authorities provide any explanation for it.” He also noted that the Houthis have not granted permission for the UN Humanitarian Service (UNHAS) to operate flights to Sana’a for over a month, nor to Marib Governorate, which is under the control of the internationally recognised government.

GCHR has previously documented, in its periodic reports, the arrests of UN and local staff, including those working for civil society organisations. The total number of UN staff detained has reached 69.

Arbitrary detention of human rights lawyer Abdulmajeed Sabra continues

Prominent human rights lawyer Abdulmajeed Sabra remains arbitrarily detained in a secret prison run by the security and intelligence apparatus in Sana’a.

Informed local sources confirmed that he was asked to pledge to cease his legal representation of prisoners of conscience as a condition for his release, but he categorically refused.

Meanwhile, Sabra ended his hunger strike, which he began on 07 December 2025, in protest against his arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention. His family visited him for the first time on 21 January 2026, and he was in acceptable health.

For more information, see here.

Journalist Mohammed Al-Mayahy not released despite court ruling

On 28 December 2025, the Appeals Division of the Specialized Criminal Court declared its satisfaction with the length of time spent in prison by journalist and writer Mohammed Dabwan Al-Mayahy and ordered his release. Despite this clear ruling from the Yemeni judiciary, he remains imprisoned.

On 06 January 2026, lawyer Ammar Yassin Al-Ahdal, who volunteered to defend him, posted the following on his Facebook page in protest against Al-Mayahy’s continued detention: “After the appeals court ruling, he is legally and judicially free, and continuing to imprison him violates both.” He added that the Appeals Court ruling had also overturned the probation and bail.”

He explained that the reason for Al-Mayahy’s continued detention was a demand by a junior employee in the Enforcement of Judgments Department for a guarantee of five million Yemeni riyals, a large sum that his family could not afford. Al-Ahdal is working to resolve the issue of this guarantee, which was created by the employee.

On 24 May 2025, the Specialised Criminal Court in Sana’a, a court of first instance, sentenced Al-Mayahy to one and a half years in prison. He had been arrested on 20 September 2024, by an armed force affiliated with the de facto government, the Houthi group, from his home in central Sana’a.

For complete details on his case, see here.

Journalist Adel Al-Nazili released

On 24 December 2025, journalist Adel Al-Nazili was released by the National Resistance Forces, who had abducted him on 18 November 2025, from his home in Al-Mokha, southwestern Yemen.

Following his release, he called for the closure of prisons run by the National Resistance Forces, an armed group established in 1918 that supports the internationally recognised government. The group is led by Presidential Council member Brigadier General Tariq Saleh and is backed by the United Arab Emirates.

For more information on the case, see here.

Journalist Ahed Yassin faces organised incitement campaign

On 25 November 2025 journalist Ahed Yassin posted on her Facebook page: “Over the past few days, I have been following the organised campaign targeting me by some hardline clerics and a number of members of parliament affiliated with the internationally recognised government, based on my appearance and clothing while performing my duties. I completely reject this campaign. I affirm that I have done nothing that requires an apology or justification, and that my personal choices are no one’s business and are not subject to the dictates of any religious or political entity.”

In her post, she affirmed her commitment to continuing her media work despite the campaign targeting her, which included threats and calls for her prosecution. She concluded, “To those who think this campaign will force me to withdraw or intimidate me, I reiterate that I will not hide and I will not accept any guardianship over my life and work. I salute all Yemeni women working in media, education, medicine, economics, and all fields of life, and I salute the Yemeni men who have shown a noble solidarity befitting a people who have inherited the values ​​of respect, justice, and chivalry for thousands of years. The genuine solidarity I have received is stronger than any vile rhetoric and deeper than any incitement campaign.”

Yassin works as a presenter on Al-Jumhuriya TV and uses her Facebook page to express her personal opinions on public affairs concerning citizens. She is originally from Aden but currently resides in Cairo, Egypt.

In a statement to GCHR at the time of this report, she said, “My current situation is not safe because a member of parliament demanded that the owner of the channel where I work force me to wear the hijab and fire me if I refuse. Furthermore, I may be persecuted here in Egypt because of the power and influence wielded by those who incited against me and accused me of apostasy simply because of the clothes I wear at work.”

GCHR expresses its full solidarity with journalist Ahed Yassin and condemns all campaigns and attempts to prevent her from carrying out her independent journalistic work and her tireless efforts to convey the truth to citizens throughout Yemen.

Recommendations

Once again, GCHR urges the parties to the conflict in Yemen:

1. Immediately release all those who have been arbitrarily arrested, detained, or tried on fabricated charges;
2. Respect public freedoms, including freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly; and

Ensure that human rights defenders, including journalists, bloggers, academics, and internet activists, are able to carry out their legitimate work and express themselves freely without fear of reprisal and in a manner free from all restrictions, including judicial harassment.