Article in Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper
The Yemen war is approaching its seventh year, leaving behind tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, hundreds of thousands of injured, and thousands of detainees and forcibly disappeared individuals. It has displaced millions and caused indescribable property destruction. This painful and futile war was undoubtedly decided in several foreign and Arab capitals. One of its main reasons was Yemen's vast reserves of natural resources, including oil, which Yemen has been prevented from exploiting. Additionally, Yemen's strategic location and control over international trade routes give it an importance that makes it a competitor to its oil-rich neighbors. This can be inferred from the events over the past six years, particularly the control over strategic and resource-rich areas that were not initially disputed among Yemenis.
For these and other reasons, control over border crossings and safe areas was sought, expelling residents, as happened in the islands of Kamaran and Mayun, which were turned into military bases. The army was either disbanded or attacked by "friendly fire," tribes were divided into warring factions, and provinces were turned into mini-states, dissolving the concept of a state that once had the components of sovereignty and plurality, praised by the world for its emerging democracy. This tragically contributed to the expansion of separatist and sectarian movements, preventing the establishment of any form of statehood.
Amidst the fog of war and the multiple parties unwilling to stop it, and with Yemenis hesitating to take the initiative for peace or reconciliation due to external pressure, and the lack of international will to end the war, the war is expected to continue unfortunately unless there is a change in international policy. Yemenis must realize that looting Yemen will continue under all justifications if this war ends without solutions, and that chaos and killing will persist with the armed military environment against civilians and security personnel in the absence of the state. Those who ignited this war will not allow Yemenis to come closer and reconcile, to prevent their call for peace from becoming a just global cause supported by many whose hands are not stained with blood, who can, with their integrity and peaceful orientation, form a barrier to stop this bloodshed and bring Yemen back to strength and dignity.
Today, more than ever, we need Yemenis to disclose the truths hidden from people, which started as smoke and turned into a fire consuming everyone. Belief in peace is needed to face the war with conviction because hatred does not build a homeland for everyone, not just those who own weapons. Strength should be used to defend Yemen, and the fighters should be the arms that build Yemen and the minds that manage it—individuals, parties, national forces, thinkers, and scholars.
With the end of the US elections and the expectation of new international balances in the Middle East, it is time for Yemenis to have their say in what happens on their soil, to change their communication methods with the world, especially with peace advocates, and to embarrass the new US administration by unifying their national will, resolving the crisis, and breaking its stalemate. They should communicate with forces willing to stop the war on their soil and want to extend a hand to Yemenis, enabling them to get their voices heard worldwide in a call for peace. This is particularly important now as the new US administration has an interest in stopping this war, in which it was involved as a party and arms dealer, ignoring all the crimes committed by its allies against Yemenis and humanity.
Today, more than ever, we need Yemenis to disclose the truths hidden from people, which started as smoke and turned into a fire consuming everyone. Belief in peace is needed to face the war with conviction because hatred does not build a homeland for everyone.
It is time for Yemenis to raise their voices, exploiting this special circumstance, rejecting this senseless war and fighting in all its forms and under any pretext. This madness, which hides behind killers with no interest in Yemen or Yemenis, must stop. Yes, it is time for Yemenis to raise one slogan at this stage: "No to war, destruction, and gratuitous killing." I do not think any honorable Yemeni disagrees with this slogan and its content.
The enemies of Yemen wanted to divide, even fragment, the Yemeni people's unity to the furthest extent. Our awareness and raising our voices at this stage is the best response to this criminal intent that we cannot confront with weapons, for they possess many. Hence, the role of the elites and intellectuals comes in creating a suitable ground to build Yemen's future. Reconstructing the bond between Yemenis whose hands are not stained with blood is a duty for all of us. It is a challenging and arduous task, no less important than building infrastructure if this war ends. It is more important than building infrastructure. Yemenis must not put the cart before the horse, or we will learn nothing from the seas of pure blood shed on our soil one day.
If Yemen's enemies have scattered its people and built barriers among them, we can break these barriers and meet initially through social media platforms in open discussions to find ways to unite and deepen our common points, contributing to building the Yemen we love and want. What unites us is much more than what divides us. We must realize that these meetings are essential to prevent the theft of Yemen from us tomorrow if this war stops, which no one will win. Therefore, let our bet be on Yemen and nothing else. What is the use of winning different-colored passports decorating our pockets if we lose Yemen, our homeland, and our love?
This will undoubtedly support all sincere workers on the ground striving to end the strife. For some time now, they have formed independent civil alliances and gatherings for reconciliation and rapprochement among fighters in several Yemeni regions, leading to opening some roads and exchanging prisoners without external intervention. This means we can do much for Yemen and its people if we have the sincere will to reject the war, considering it a brutal means of power, and demanding its moral downfall by peaceful means.
The sincere will of the Yemeni people, without narrow and personal agendas, is the only available horizon for achieving peace. This will can unite Yemenis inside and outside the country, help find solutions and approaches to bring perspectives closer together, and contribute to shaping the future for the nation's children, building Yemen on a foundation of reconciliation, justice, and development. A will that brings different perspectives closer in all ways, with detachment and neutrality, because Yemen has rights over all its children. We await the return of Yemeni wisdom and the revival of the Yemeni body.