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‘Disastrous Effects’ on Yemeni Journalism During Coup Years

A Yemeni journalist in Sanaa carrying a camera after passing through a security scanner (EPA)
A Yemeni journalist in Sanaa carrying a camera after passing through a security scanner (EPA)
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‘Disastrous Effects’ on Yemeni Journalism During Coup Years

A Yemeni journalist in Sanaa carrying a camera after passing through a security scanner (EPA)
A Yemeni journalist in Sanaa carrying a camera after passing through a security scanner (EPA)

A recent survey study, published on World Press Freedom Day, has uncovered the devastating impact of the Houthi coup and the ongoing war on press freedom and media in Yemen. The study highlighted the significant challenges faced by journalists in Yemen, including limitations on independence, funding, and the protection of their rights.

The study, conducted by the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists, examined 365 various media outlets, including television channels, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and websites.

The findings showed that 165 of these media outlets have ceased operations due to the war and its effects, while 137 new outlets have emerged during the conflict.

The study found that 22 out of 26 satellite channels remain in operation, while four have stopped. While 54 of the 60 local radio stations continue to operate, 6 have ceased operations.

Meanwhile, the impact of the war on print media has been devastating, with 119 newspapers having to shut down compared to only 13 out of 132 that were operational prior to the coup.

The newspapers that are still in circulation are distributed across the country, with five newspapers being published Sanaa, six in Aden, and two in Taiz. Of these newspapers, 10 were established and published during the war, including five in Aden, four in Sanaa, and one in Taiz.

Based on the study, the majority of the 147 news websites have been blocked by the Houthi militias, who control the communication networks, preventing followers inside Yemen from accessing them. Additionally, 33 of these websites have ceased to operate altogether.

The study also revealed that out of 365 media outlets, not even one disclosed its funding sources and financial data. Of these outlets, 111 are for-profit, while 254 are non-profit.

Only 40 media outlets have contracts with journalists, but these contracts do not guarantee all economic, financial, and insurance rights and are not suitable for the nature of journalistic work and its risks during times of war.

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Kurdish Fighters Leave Northern City in Syria as Part of Deal with Central Government

A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
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Kurdish Fighters Leave Northern City in Syria as Part of Deal with Central Government

A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)

Scores of US-backed Kurdish fighters left two neighborhoods in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo Friday as part of a deal with the central government in Damascus, which is expanding its authority in the country.

The fighters left the predominantly Kurdish northern neighborhoods of Sheikh Maksoud and Achrafieh, which had been under the control of Kurdish fighters in Aleppo over the past decade.

The deal is a boost to an agreement reached last month between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led authority that controls the country’s northeast. The deal could eventually lead to the merger of the main US-backed force in Syria into the Syrian army.

The withdrawal of fighters from the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) came a day after dozens of prisoners from both sides were freed in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.

Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported that government forces were deployed along the road that SDF fighters will use to move between Aleppo and areas east of the Euphrates River, where the Kurdish-led force controls nearly a quarter of Syria.

Sheikh Maksoud and Achrafieh had been under SDF control since 2015 and remained so even when forces of ousted President Bashar al-Assad captured Aleppo in late 2016. The two neighborhoods remained under SDF control when forces loyal to current interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa captured the city in November, and days later captured the capital, Damascus, removing Assad from power.

After being marginalized for decades under the rule of the Assad family rule, the deal signed last month promises Syria’s Kurds “constitutional rights,” including using and teaching their language, which were banned for decades.

Hundreds of thousands of Kurds, who were displaced during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war, will return to their homes. Thousands of Kurds living in Syria who have been deprived of nationality for decades under Assad will be given the right of citizenship, according to the agreement.

Kurds made up 10% of the country’s prewar population of 23 million. Kurdish leaders say they don’t want full autonomy with their own government and parliament. They want decentralization and room to run their day-to day-affairs.