TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike on Sana'a last Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 26 local media journalists among the 46 total fatalities.
In a statement cited by Xinhua, the group reported that the airstrike demolished the offices of two newspapers, 26th September and Al-Yemen, situated in Tahrir Square in downtown Sana'a. Despite this, the Houthis emphasized that the attack would not hinder their media operations.
Health authorities controlled by the Houthis also stated that 165 people, including women and children, were injured.
Houthi's Al-Masirah television station broadcast footage showing damaged residential buildings and rescue workers searching for victims in the wreckage.
The Israeli military, however, claimed they targeted military camps, the Houthi's public relations headquarters, and fuel storage sites, referring to the action as a response to recent drone and missile attacks launched by the group.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, whose office was also impacted by the airstrike, vowed retaliation, stating that the attack would not go unanswered.
The Houthi group, which maintains control over most of northern Yemen, pledged to continue its attacks on Israel and called for an end to the war and blockade in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch Documents Attacks on Journalists
Separately, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report documented new attacks on journalists by all warring parties in Yemen. HRW cited the September 10 attacks by Israeli forces on media centers in Sana'a as a clear example of the dangers faced by media workers in the country.
The attack, one of several launched by Israeli forces in Sana'a and Al-Jawf on that day, led to at least 46 deaths, including 26 journalists, and dozens of injuries, according to the Houthi Health Ministry.
The targeted buildings served as the primary offices for Houthi-controlled media and two newspapers. According to Yemen analyst Mohammed al-Basha, the attack occurred while staff of the Houthi-controlled newspaper 26 September were printing the paper.
"Since it is a weekly publication, not a daily one, staff were gathered at the publishing house to prepare for distribution, significantly increasing the number of people present in the compound," he stated on X.
The Israeli military reiterated its claim to have targeted the "Houthi Public Relations Department" as a response to recent Houthi attacks on Israel.
The targeted area is a densely populated residential neighborhood adjacent to Old Sana'a, a UNESCO heritage site. The attack took place while many residents were walking and driving on the streets, as confirmed by interviews and video footage shared that night on X by Al-Masirah, a Houthi-managed news channel, and verified by HRW.
The video, a compilation of edited clips, depicted crowded streets with people and vehicles, damaged buildings, and rescue workers evacuating injured victims, including at least one child, from the debris.
HRW emphasized that radio and television facilities are considered civilian objects and are not legitimate military targets unless they are used in a way that provides an "effective contribution to military action."
"However, civilian broadcasting facilities are not rendered legitimate military targets simply because they are pro-Houthi or anti-Israel, or report on the laws of war violations by one side or the other, as this does not directly contribute to military operations," HRW wrote on its website.
For instance, if a broadcasting facility is involved in military communications, any attack on the facility must still adhere to the principle of proportionality, meaning the anticipated military advantage must not be disproportionate to the expected civilian harm.
Recent Israeli attacks further highlight the threats journalists face in Yemen, not only from domestic authorities but also from foreign warring parties.
Israeli forces have also repeatedly and deliberately targeted journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon.
HRW concluded by stating that other countries should urge Israeli forces and Yemeni authorities to immediately stop targeting journalists and media workers and to uphold their obligation to protect freedom of speech and information under international law.
Editor's Choice: Arab Leaders Demand Action After Israeli Attack on Qatar
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
