IFJ Calls for Protection of Media after News Agency Comes under Attack in Yemen


The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today accused forces loyal to Hameed al Ahmar, a Yemeni tribal leader, of endangering the safety of staff at Saba news agency after their attack on Monday which left two journalists injured and many more colleagues in a state of shock.

The attack took place as the al Ahmar's forces launched their offensive against the government army, taking over some government building, including the Ministry of Commerce and Planning and the Yemeni Air Line offices which were burned down. The attack on the news agency lasted several hours and stopped only after the intervention of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate who assured the attacking forces that there were no government's soldiers on the agency's premises.

"This is a serious incident which could have ended in loss of life and serious injuries to journalists and staff," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "We commend our colleagues at the YJS for their brave intervention which ended the attack. But we reiterate our strong condemnation of all those who put lives of journalists and media personnel at risk."

The YJS also condemned the attack and said in a statement that the offices of the Sana news agency were bombed on Monday 23 May 2011 by al Hamar's forces in an attack which caused serious damage to the premises and caused panic among some 50 staff members who were inside. Two journalists, Farouk Al Kamali and Ahmad Mutawakkil, were also injured in the gunfire. The YJS organised a solidarity march yesterday to denounce the attack and attempts to stir up civil war in Yemen.

The IFJ backs the YJS call and warns that the risks to journalists' safety are likely to increase because of the breakdown of law and order in the country.

"Journalists in Yemen face tough times as they are confronted with batons and bullets during this unfolding crisis. Now more than ever before, they must count on our support to guarantee their protection and safety," added Boumelha.

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 131 countries