Yemen: IFJ calls on the Houthi group to release two journalists abducted in September

The Houthi group abducted journalist Mohamed Al-Miyahi on 20 September in the capital Sana'a, two days after he published an article criticising the organisation. They also kidnapped journalist and member of YJS Fouad Al-Nahari in late September. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS) in calling on the de facto authorities and other armed groups to immediately and release Al-Miyahi, Al-Nahari and all unfairly detained journalists in the country.

Yemeni journalists and writer Mohamed Al-Miyahi, who was abducted by the Houthi group on 20 September. Credit: Mohamed Al-Miyahi/YJS

Armed individuals raided Al-Miyahi's apartment in Sana'a and seized some of the journalists' electronic devices before he was forcibly taken from his home on 20 September. In a statement, the YJS expressed its deep concern over the unknown fate of Al-Miyahi and the harsh conditions he is enduring for simply doing his job.

In late September, the Houthi group also kidnapped journalist and YJS member Found Al-Nahari. However, no further details of his disappearance or current situation have been made known to the IFJ.

The intensified campaign of abductions took placeamid the preparations for the 62nd celebration of the September Revolution Day, on 26 September, which led to the creation of the Yemen Arab Republic.

The union drew attention to the detention of several journalists in Yemen, who had been imprisoned for an extended period by warring parties in the country and held them responsible for the safety of unfairly detained media workers.

The Houthi group has kidnapped journalists Wahid Al-Sufi, Nabil Al-Sadawi and Fahd Al-Arhabisince April 2015, September 2015 and June 2023, respectively. Journalist Muhammad Qaid Al-Maqri has been reportedly missing since October 2015 in the Hadramout region under the control of Al-Qaeda. Two other journalists, Ahmed Maher and Naseh Shaker, have been detained by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) since August 2022 and November 2023, respectively.

The IFJ and the YJS have been relentlessly campaigningfor the release of Yemeni journalists.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:"We strongly condemn the adverse working environment and climate of fear that journalists and media professionals endure in Yemen, jeopardising their safety. Our colleague Mohamed Al-Miyahi is the latest abductee in a long list of journalists who must be immediately and unconditionally released. We call on the de facto authorities and other armed groups to stop hindering journalists' work and release all unfairly detained journalists".