Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that it has followed with deep concern, through what was circulated on social media and the published photos and videos, the storming of the “Aden al-Ghad” newspaper headquarters in the temporary capital, Aden, by armed elements affiliated with the dissolved Southern Transitional Council. The raid involved destroying and looting its contents and assaulting several of its employees and workers, in a behavior that reflects the use of force outside the framework of the law and represents a grave violation of public rights and freedoms, foremost of which are the freedom of opinion and expression and the freedom of journalistic work.

SAM viewed a video in which the head of Aden al-Ghad newspaper, Fathi bin Lazraq, spoke and revealed that the newspaper's headquarters in the city of Aden was subjected to a wide-scale operation of storming and sabotage by armed elements affiliated with the Transitional Council. Bin Lazraq explained that the raiding force, estimated at between 40 to 50 gunmen, completely destroyed the headquarters, including the production and output devices and his private office, despite it being a neutral, independent civilian newspaper that publishes for all parties. He pointed out that this attack reflects the extent of hostility toward society, the intolerance of opposing opinions, and the practice of exclusion, describing the current experience as one of the worst in Yemen's history.

The organization referred to what the newspaper's editor-in-chief, journalist Fathi bin Lazraq, reported on his Facebook page regarding the injury of several newspaper employees as a result of the armed assault. This increases the gravity of the incident and confirms that the attack was not limited to material destruction but extended to threaten the safety of civilians and media workers, in a clear violation of their right to personal security and protection from violence. SAM explained that this attack followed a campaign of incitement and escalation targeting bin Lazraq due to a media interview he conducted with Al-Arabiya channel. This reflects a disturbing pattern of attempts to silence independent media voices and impose a climate of intimidation that pushes toward self-censorship and undermines the public sphere. The link between incitement and physical assault raises serious concerns about hostile discourse turning into a tool to justify violence against journalists and media institutions.

The organization emphasized that storming a media institution and assaulting its workers represents a clear violation of Article (19) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article (19) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to expression and the exchange of information without harassment. The physical assault leading to injuries also constitutes a violation of the right to bodily integrity and contradicts Yemen's constitutional obligations that guarantee press freedom and prohibit targeting or obstructing the work of media institutions. SAM believes that armed formations not subject to effective judicial oversight resorting to storming civilian institutions threatens the foundations of the rule of law and reflects the erosion of the state's monopoly on the use of force. Press institutions are considered civilian objects that must be protected at all times, and under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, attacks on civilians or their property are prohibited. Directing systematic acts of violence or intimidation against journalists may amount—when its widespread or systematic nature is proven—to grave violations requiring investigation and accountability.

The organization also stressed that continued impunity in such incidents does not only threaten the victims but also undermines the chances for justice and stability, sending dangerous messages that violence can be an alternative to the law. It warned that targeting media outlets at this sensitive stage of Yemen's history would narrow the space for dialogue, fuel polarization, and undermine any potential paths for building a state based on pluralism and respect for rights. SAM called on the Yemeni authorities to open an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the storming incident and to identify those responsible, including those who issued orders or facilitated the violation. It also urged ensuring they are brought to justice according to procedures that meet international standards for a fair trial, while taking urgent measures to protect journalists and media institutions and prevent any armed interference in their work.

SAM organization also called on influential regional and international parties to support the rule of law and press for an end to violations and to ensure that all armed formations are subject to legal frameworks. It emphasized that protecting freedom of expression represents a true test of the seriousness of the parties in respecting human dignity and building a state where opinion is safeguarded and the word is protected from violence.