The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate "YJS" reported on Wednesday the arrest of Awad Kashmim, head of the Press Freedoms Committee for the union's local branch, by security forces in Haridah District, Hadramaut Governorate, eastern Yemen. According to reports, the arrest followed several days of harassment, including a raid on his residence, allegedly in connection with his journalistic activities.

In a statement obtained by "Barran Press," the YJS strongly condemned the arrest, characterizing it as part of a continuing crackdown on journalists and a deliberate attempt to curtail freedom of expression within the country. The union accused the authorities of seeking to silence dissenting voices and denying citizens their fundamental right to access information.

The Syndicate denounced the arrest as arbitrary and unequivocally demanded the immediate release of Awad Kashmim. It also called for a transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention, holding Hadramaut security authorities fully accountable for his safety and well-being.
The YJS has issued an urgent appeal to press freedom advocacy groups, including the Arab Journalists’ Federation and the International Federation of Journalists, urging them to demonstrate solidarity with Awad Kashmim. The union called on these organizations to exert pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure his immediate release and to work towards establishing a secure and enabling environment for journalistic work throughout Yemen.