Washington, D.C., September 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Houthi authorities, who control most of Yemen, to immediately restore access to independent media outlet Barran Press, which the rebels have blocked via two internet service providers that they control.

On September 6, Barran Press, which is based in the government-controlled city of Marib, said users across the country had been unable to access its website for several days without a virtual private network. The outlet described the block on the state-run backbone providers YemenNet and TeleYemen as a “blatant violation of freedom of opinion and expression.”

“The Houthis’ blocking of the online outlet Barran Press reflects their continued determination to target independent media and isolate Yemenis — not only from the world, but also from reliable local news,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “The Houthis must stop weaponizing their control of Yemen’s telecommunications infrastructure and allow Yemenis free access to the internet and independent media.

Since seizing the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, Iranian-backed Houthi authorities have taken control of key telecommunications infrastructure and blocked about 200 local, regional, and international news sites, according to the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, including major outlets such as the Saudi state-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya and the Qatari-based broadcaster Al Jazeera. 

Mohamed al-Salhi, editor-in-chief of Barran Press, told CPJ that the Houthis had “waged a war on media outlets, including blocking those not under their control” — referring to regions controlled by the internationally recognized government. 

“They only accept one voice — their voice — and journalists in Yemen are paying the price,” he said.

Since a Saudi-backed coalition intervened in the civil war in 2014 to try and restore the government to power, journalists have faced grave threats in areas controlled by both groups. Violations — ranging from arrests and arbitrary detention to enforced disappearance and unfair trials — are carried out with near-total impunity.