In a troubling development from Shabwa, southeastern Yemen, journalist Salah Haqroos was arrested on December 26, 2024, by military forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council in the city of Ataq. Local sources reported that Haqroos was detained after he demanded an investigation into the killing of Dr. Salem Abdullah Mohsen bin Sayel Al-Khalifi, a nurse at Shabwa General Hospital, who was shot dead by members of the Second Shabwa Defense Brigade on July 3, 2024.

According to reports from Barran Press, Haqroos was initially stopped and held for several hours at the Al-Kareebiya checkpoint before his arrest. Sources indicated that he received threats of physical harm during phone calls from unknown numbers, warning him of dire consequences if he continued to press for accountability in Al-Khalifi’s death.

In a final Facebook post before his arrest, Haqroos stated, “I have been stopped at the Shabwa Defense checkpoint at Al-Kareebiya. If I am arrested, I hold the brigade commander and Sheikh Awad bin Al-Wazir responsible.”

His brother, Mohsen Haqroos, filed a complaint with the Shabwa Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the arrest, demanding that if his brother had committed any legal violations, he should be brought to trial; otherwise, he should be released immediately.

Earlier, Salah Haqroos reported receiving a threatening phone call on December 24, 2024, from a mobile number that accused him of collaborating with the Houthis and warned him of repercussions for his media posts. He confirmed that the call was recorded and planned to file an official report to the prosecutor’s office the following day.

Haqroos has urged local authorities to fulfill their responsibility to protect journalists and to put an end to unlawful practices that threaten press freedom and the safety of media professionals in the region. He has accused the Second Shabwa Defense Brigade of refusing to hand over those responsible for Dr. Al-Khalifi’s murder, claiming this inaction obstructs justice amid the security committee’s ineffectiveness.