Yemeni security forces have closed Al-Jazeera’s bureau in the southwestern city of Taiz on the orders of the Saudi-led Arab military coalition fighting the Houthi rebels, according to media reports.

“The Higher Security Committee in Taiz today decided to shut down the office of Al-Jazeera TV in the province, attributing – in a statement – the decision to attempts by the channel to sow discord within the legitimacy [government forces] ranks and the Arab coalition,” the Saudi Okaz newpaper reported on 9 January.

The newspaper quoted the statement as saying that the committee had discussed the “negative practices” of some TV stations, including Al-Jazeera.

Al Jazeera Media Network issued a statement saying: “the Network calls on the authorities in the city of Taiz to reverse its decision and allow Al Jazeera’s journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities duties without any hindrance or intimidation.”

It is not the first time Al Jazeera journalists have been targeted in the city. Three network staff were abducted in Taiz in January 2017.

It is extremely dangerous for media workers to report throughout the war-torn country. Houthi rebels last month attacked the Yemen Al Youm TV channel and took dozens of media staff hostage.