Barran Press
The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) reported today the detention of six journalists and media activists by the Houthi group in Hodeidah province, western Yemen. The YJS holds the Houthis fully responsible for the safety and well-being of those detained.
In a statement obtained by Baran Press, the syndicate vehemently condemned what it described as an "arbitrary" Houthi campaign targeting journalists and freedom of opinion and expression. The YJS demanded the "de facto authority" in Hodeidah, referring to the Houthis, to "immediately release them."
Those arrested in Hodeidah, according to the syndicate's statement, include Walid Ghaleb, Deputy Head of the Syndicate's Hodeidah branch; journalist Hassan Ziyad; photographers Abdul-Jabbar Ziyad and Abdul-Aziz Al-Noum; and media activists Asem Mohammed and Abdul-Majeed Al-Zailai.
The YJS views these abductions as a "continuation of the policy of repression and targeting of journalists and opinion holders, and a hostile act against freedom of opinion and expression." It reiterated that the Houthi group bears full responsibility for the lives and safety of the detained colleagues.
The syndicate urged all organizations concerned with freedom of opinion and expression to "show solidarity with the colleagues and exert pressure until their release, along with all kidnapped journalists."
In recent days, press reports have indicated a Houthi crackdown involving raids and arrests targeting media professionals, activists, officials, and tribal leaders in Hodeidah. The province has been subject to numerous American and Israeli airstrikes, with the Houthi group accusing those arrested of disseminating information about targeted sites or working with external and internal media outlets.