Al Mukalla, Yemen: Attacks by Al Houthis on journalists who oppose their rule have reached an “unprecedented” scale, forcing many to flee Al Houthi-controlled cities in northern Yemen, a senior member of the Yemen Journalists Syndicate (YJS) told Gulf News.
Nabeil Al Ousaidi accused Al Houthis of intimidating journalists critical of their rule.
“They have stopped all newspapers that oppose them. They control all government-run media. They have blocked all news sites that do not back them and cut salaries of journalists who do not praise them,” he said.
On Thursday, a group of journalists from the YJS arranged a sit-in in the Yemeni capital Sana’a to demand the release of some journalists arrested a week ago while planning to send drinking water from the province of Ibb to the besieged city of Taiz.
YJS issued a statement saying that journalist Mahmoud Yassen was among those in custody.
Trying to break Al Houthis’ siege on Taiz, at least 30 activists and journalists planned to drive trucks carrying drinking water from the province of Ibb.
The militants, who are also in control of Ibb, arrested them before they could set out.
Earlier this week, Al Houthi militants stormed the house of Saeed Thabeb Saeed, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Yemen and the under secretary of YJS.
Mohammad Al Bukhiti, an Al Houthi spokesperson, was not available to respond to the accusations.
Al Ousaidi said that that freedom of expression in Yemen was in danger due to Al Houthis’ crackdown on journalists.
“Since Al Houthis seizure of power in September last year, freedom of expression has suffered the worst setbacks for decades.”
According to the syndicate’s figures, Al Houthis are responsible for 80 per cent of 200 violations against the journalists in the first half of this year.
Fifteen journalists are still being held solitary confinement in unknown locations.
Despite feeling unable to halt Al Houthis attacks, Al Ousaidi said that his colleagues are determined to stand firm against the oppression.
“ I am confident that journalists would not bow down to their suppression and will not give up to their violations.” he said.
