Yemeni-Dutch Journalist Musab al-Hattami Killed in Houthi Drone Strike

April 28, 2025 – Yemen – 

On April 26, 2025, Musab al-Hattami, a Yemeni-Dutch journalist and filmmaker, was tragically killed in a Houthi drone strike near Marib, Yemen. Al-Hattami, who had returned to Yemen to document the realities of life in his family’s hometown, was targeted in the attack while working on a documentary. His brother, photographer Suhaib al-Hattami, was also injured in the strike. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, calling attention to the escalating dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

Al-Hattami’s death highlights the ongoing threats journalists encounter in Yemen, where media freedom is severely restricted, and reporters often face arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and violence, with little to no accountability for the perpetrators. The CPJ, which has been monitoring and documenting such incidents, emphasized the need for international action to protect journalists and ensure their safety in regions torn by conflict.

In response to the tragedy, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death of al-Hattami and expressed condolences to his family. The ministry also noted that he had been working in Yemen to capture the conditions of life in the Ma’rib region. The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) has called for heightened awareness of the dangers journalists face in such volatile regions and advocated for stronger protections for those reporting in conflict zones.

Al-Hattami’s death marks another painful reminder of the increasingly perilous working conditions for journalists in conflict areas. His work in Yemen had focused on capturing the human stories behind the headlines of the ongoing conflict. The attack serves as a stark illustration of the extreme risks journalists endure in pursuit of the truth and the need for more robust international safeguards to protect press freedom. The global community must unite to ensure that the invaluable work of journalists is not silenced by violence and intimidation.

Reference – 

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598879/media

https://nltimes.nl/2025/04/28/dutch-yemeni-cameraman-killed-houthi-attack-yemen

Houthi drone strike kills Yemeni-Dutch journalist, injures another