YEMEN: CRACKDOWN ON CHRISTIANS

Christians in Yemen are facing an unprecedented crackdown as more than 50 believers have been arrested – and made to disappear – in 2026 already.

“We were waiting for some brothers who were coming to attend planned training,” says an Open Doors partner who works with Yemeni believers. “We do not know where they are and we cannot reach them.” 

This is one of many similar stories that have taken place in the past couple of weeks. Christians in Yemen are facing an unprecedented crackdown by the Yemeni authorities. Since the beginning of 2026, the Yemeni church has witnessed a record number of arrest and imprisonments, with more than 50 people being taken into custody already.  

Once detained, these believers effectively go missing.  

Held without contact for weeks 

Trusted sources suspect that the arrested will be held in secret locations for several weeks while they are being investigated and interrogated. We know from previous experiences that they are likely to be harshly interrogated with possible torture. During this time, family members do not receive any updates or information, and lawyers are not permitted to intervene. Prayer is the best and only means to have any influence over what is happening behind the closed doors of Yemeni police. 

“Most of the people that I was always in contact with are now imprisoned,” shares an Open Doors partner. “Along with local Open Doors partners, those that we can still reach, we are trying to find ways to help. Pray for wisdom to avoid making the situation worse.”  

Threats against Christians are circulating on social media and distributed as physical flyers. It seems that new alliances are joining forces to continue the crackdown on Christians across the country.  

This crackdown is unusually ferocious, but these are threats that Yemeni believers have sadly long lived with. Yemen is number three on the Open Doors World Watch List, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to follow Jesus. Choosing to convert to Christianity comes with the death penalty, and believers can face death threats from their family and community, too.  

Please pray 

Please join the Yemeni church in praying: 

• That the church in Yemen will be strengthened during this time and not be crippled by fear. May our Lord give extraordinary power and bravery to His church in this time of sorrow to reflect God’s love to those around them. *Name changed for security reasons…
• That this aggressive wave would stop, and the prisoners are released immediately without any harm 
• That every brother or sister that has been captured and taken into custody will find grace in the eyes of prison guards and interrogators, and that they will experience God with them in their most difficult moments 
• For God to protect those that have not been captured, giving them courage and hope  
• For God’s peace to fill the hearts of those whose loved ones have been arrested, and that God would grant them the ability to forgive their persecutors