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February 03, 2026 – Yemen –
Armed individuals violently attacked the newsroom of independent Yemeni news outlet Aden Al-Ghad, injuring staff members and damaging media equipment in an assault that underscores the dangers facing journalists in the conflict-scarred country. The incident occurred on 1 February 2026 in the port city of Aden, where the newsroom was raided by gunmen armed with firearms and linked to the recently dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC).
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least two staff members were injured in the attack, which also resulted in the destruction and looting of office contents, including computers, cameras, and other work devices. Local press freedom organisations identified those wounded as journalists who were present when the assailants stormed the premises, forcing their way inside before fleeing the scene. The violence temporarily disrupted operations at the independent outlet, which has frequently been targeted due to its critical reporting.
Fathi Bin Lazraq, Aden Al-Ghad’s editor-in-chief, told media that the attack was likely retaliatory, citing his outlet’s prior reporting on alleged corruption within STC ranks before the group’s dissolution last year. Bin Lazraq said he had earlier received threats — including warnings of potential assassination — which he believes were connected to the newsroom’s investigative focus. In September 2025, forces associated with the STC briefly detained Bin Lazraq and attempted to close the outlet on purported administrative grounds, an action he attributed to pushback against the paper’s exposure of financial misconduct.
In response to the assault, CPJ and other press freedom advocates have urged Yemen’s internationally recognised government to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable, framing the attack as a violation of press freedom and the right to independent reporting. CPJ’s regional director emphasised that such assaults create a hostile environment that discourages critical journalism, particularly in areas where multiple armed actors operate with limited legal oversight.
Local rights organisations also condemned the raid. The Yemeni Media Freedoms Observatory (Marsadak) highlighted that storming a media institution and assaulting its workers constitutes a clear breach of constitutional protections for freedom of expression and press activity. Footage circulating on social media showed extensive damage to the newsroom, with offices ransacked and property destroyed during the assault. Marsadak called for swift action by Aden security authorities to apprehend perpetrators and safeguard the safety of journalists.
The attack comes amid ongoing political instability and intermittent conflict in Yemen, where journalists and media workers continue to face threats from various armed groups and factions. Advocates warn that without accountability and stronger protections, independent media operations will remain vulnerable to violence, intimidation, and censorship in the volatile security environment.
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