Ma’onah condemns Wessam Qaed and Hijacking of the Tanker “M/T EUREKA
New York – May 3, 2026
The Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration (AMHRI) is following with deep concern and sorrow the two successive crimes that occurred in Yemen within a matter of days, which—beyond any doubt—expose the scale of institutional and security collapse the country is experiencing, both on land and at sea.
First: Condemnation of the Two Crimes
The Association strongly condemns the assassination of Mr. Wessam Qaed, Director of the Social Fund for Development in Aden, on Sunday, May 3, 2026. He was treacherously killed while carrying out his humanitarian and development mission. This crime constitutes a blatant violation of the right to life and an attack on civilian personnel who form the backbone of any development or reconstruction process.
The Association also condemns the armed piracy incident targeting the oil tanker “M/T EUREKA” off the coast of Shabwa on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The vessel was seized by nine Somali armed pirates and taken toward the Somali coast. Its crew consists of twelve sailors of Egyptian and Indian nationalities. The Yemeni Coast Guard acknowledged its inability to intercept the tanker due to limited capabilities.
Second: The Shared Implications of the Two Crimes
The targeting of a prominent development figure in a city theoretically under government control, followed the next day by the hijacking of an international tanker in Yemeni waters, clearly reveals:
* The collapse of the security system and the inability of official institutions to protect civilians on land and to secure territorial waters at sea.
* The rise of systematic assassinations intertwined with regional instability in the Horn of Africa, recalling the peak of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
* The absence of the rule of law and the erosion of institutions to the extent that Yemen has become a space where the very concept of the state is collapsing.
Third: Intersection with the International Position and the U.S. Court Ruling
The Association takes note of the statement issued by the U.S. Embassy to Yemen, which condemned the assassination of Mr. Qaed and called for ensuring that Aden is a safe environment. The Association considers that the two crimes constitute dual field evidence supporting the reasoning of the ruling issued on Friday, May 1, 2026, by the U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of New York, which recognized the eligibility of Yemenis for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) based on the absence of conditions for safe return.
Describing Yemen as an unsafe country is not a political stance, but an objective reality supported by ongoing facts. Forcibly returning any Yemeni to such an environment constitutes a direct violation of the principle of non-refoulement.
Fourth: AMHRI’s Demands
Accordingly, the Association calls for:
- An urgent, transparent, and independent investigation into the assassination of Mr. Wessam Qaed, and accountability for those responsible.
- Immediate international and regional action to recover the tanker “M/T EUREKA” and ensure the safety of its crew.
- Serious measures to protect civilian and humanitarian personnel and to secure maritime routes.
- Continued commitment by the U.S. administration and federal courts to protect Yemenis by maintaining and expanding TPS programs.
- Support for international efforts to rebuild Yemeni state institutions on a foundation that ensures the rule of law.
Closing Statement
The blood of Mr. Wessam Qaed, and the hijacking of the tanker “M/T EUREKA,” remind the world that the Yemeni tragedy extends from land to sea, and from the domestic sphere to the regional level. Media narratives suggesting “improving conditions” contradict the realities on the ground and daily headlines.
The Association extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr. Wessam Qaed and to his colleagues at the Social Fund for Development. It also expresses solidarity with the kidnapped tanker crew and their families, reaffirming its commitment to defending the rights of Yemenis—foremost among them their right to life, safety, and international legal protection.
Issued by:
Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration (AMHRI)
New York – United States of America
