The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed its deep shock following disturbing reports of an ongoing bombardment by militants from the Houthi group on the offices of Yemen state TV station Al Yemen. IFJ has demanded an immediate halt to the attack and called for those responsible to be held to account.
According to IFJ affiliate, Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate (YJS), the Al Houthi group started its bombardment of the Al Yemen building, located in the Al Jaraf area of Yemen’s capital city Sanaa, on Thursday evening at 9pm. Eyewitness accounts said the intense bombardment came from all directions.
"We strongly condemn this appalling attack on Yemen’s state media outlet,†said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “It is a clear violation of international law and a crime against press freedom and freedom of expression. A thorough investigation must be carried out into this incident so that those responsible are held fully accountable. “We appeal to the commander of the Houthi group, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, to condemn this disgraceful attack, otherwise he will be held personally responsible for this action.â€
IFJ will work with the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate in the coming days to gather all the facts related to the attack and will make every effort to help ensure such an attack does not happen again.
