Secretary General of the Yemen Journalist Syndicate Marwan Damaj has accused the National Security headed by Amar Mohammad Saleh of surrounding the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper and its staff.
He expressed his sorrow as some journalists cooperated with security services that are currently surrounding their institution, pointing out that most journalists of Al-Thawra refused to work until the removal of the gunmen.
Member of YJS, Mohammad Shobaitah, said that Al-Thawrah is still under the control of the armed men who have surrounded the newspapers since last Thursday, urging all Yemeni journalists to stand against such violations.
YJS had stressed that the armed men affiliated to Saleh attempt to raise turbulence and chaos with the aim of disturbing the early presidential elections scheduled for February 21.
Meanwhile, dozens of Yemeni journalists demonstrated on Tuesday before the cabinet, demanding to promptly take the gunmen out of Al-Thawra, expressing their solidarity with its staff.
They further demanded the interim government to send military enforcements to protect Al-Thawra and its staff, condemning threats and violations against its staff.
The Federation of Arab Journalist has condemned the "brutal attack" against the state-run Al-Thawra and its staff, considered this event as serious. It asked the Yemeni concerned authorities to immediately end the siege and arrest the armed groups.
For its part, the International Federation of Journalists called the Yemeni government to act decisively to stop the diehard supporters of Saleh from perpetuating control over public media.
"This is a serious incident which also represents a test of the interim leadership's commitment to genuine change, including respect for press freedom," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha.