Mohammed Jaafar Mohammed Abdo Ahmed Al-Absi was a student in his first year of university. He lived in Salah District, Taiz Governorate.
On the evening of 28 February, Mohammed was on his way to visit a friend who lived nearby. He did not know that his friend was involved in a dispute with some men operating under the Taiz Axis of the internationally recognized government forces.
As Mohammed arrived at his friend’s house, a group of armed men opened fire on him in the street. He was hit by seven bullets in different parts of his body. Mohammed was rushed to hospital in critical condition, partially paralysed, and fell into a coma. He remained in a coma until 22 April, when he died.
His father, Jaafar Mohammed, recounted:
‘Mohammed was my only son—the light of our home. He had just finished high school, and I had enrolled him in university. He was at the very beginning of his academic journey, full of ambition and excitement, so happy to have started college. He was only 21 years old, so full of life and hope.’
He went on to say:
‘He never imagined that his life would be cut short by those gunmen, who killed him in cold blood and fled without accountability. They took my beloved son from me. To this day, no one has given us justice, and none of those responsible have been held accountable.’