Sana’a — In a move that has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates, Yemen’s Houthi authorities have imposed a sweeping ban on photographing or documenting the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in areas under their control. 

The directive, issued by the Houthi-run Ministry of Interior and reinforced by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, prohibits civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers from capturing images or videos of targeted sites without prior authorization.

The ban follows a series of Israeli air raids on military and strategic locations in Sana’a, Saada, and Hodeidah, which the Houthis claim were in retaliation for drone and missile attacks launched toward southern Israel. While the group has publicly celebrated its strikes as part of the “Axis of Resistance,” it has simultaneously sought to restrict visual evidence of the damage inflicted by Israeli retaliation.

According to internal memos circulated among local media outlets, unauthorized documentation is now considered a “direct service to the enemy” and may result in criminal prosecution. The Houthis have designated official media teams to control the narrative and selectively release footage deemed “appropriate for public morale.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the move, calling it “a dangerous escalation in media censorship” and warning that it undermines transparency in conflict zones. Human rights organizations have also expressed concern that the blackout may conceal civilian casualties and damage to non-military infrastructure.