Aden, Yemen – The Media Committee of the Southern Transitional Council’s National Assembly condemned the actions taken by security authorities at Aden International Airport. These actions prevented a media delegation from the German channel ZDF from departing Cairo Airport for Aden last Sunday evening. The committee described this measure as “illogical and unethical.” It also considered the continued barring of foreign journalists from reporting in the south an indication of a fear of conveying the truth to the international public about the political situation in the region, particularly the massive peaceful demonstrations demanding the restoration of the South Yemeni state within its pre-May 22, 1990 borders, and the achievement of security and peace in the country and the region.
The statement asserted that this measure aims to “cover up the truth and present a distorted picture of what is happening on the ground.” It also highlighted ongoing violations of the rights of unarmed civilians, including shootings, arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. These violations recently occurred in the city of Sayun in Hadramawt Governorate, perpetrated by what the committee described as northern military forces or Yemeni emergency forces.
The media committee stressed that there is a “premeditated intent against Aden and the rest of the southern governorates.” It affirmed that the capital is a rock upon which all past and present conspiracies will shatter. What is happening today is “a media war against the South through censorship, distortion of facts, and the media isolation of the South from the world.” In closing, the committee reiterated the southern people’s commitment to the Southern Transitional Council and its president, Commander Aidarus al-Zubaidi, and to the political and constitutional declaration issued on January 2nd. It also commended the steadfastness of the citizens and paid tribute to the martyrs, the wounded, the detainees, and the disappeared.
