On Wednesday, after Israeli airstrikes across Yemen, Mohammed Abdul Salam was steely-eyed as he spoke to a packed pressroom in Sana’a. The Yemeni official struck a defiant yet deeply concerned tone at the dramatic escalation of events in recent times.
“Our support for Palestine remains unshakeable,” Abdul Salam declared, his voice not shaken by anything that transpired. His statement came hours after Israeli warplanes reportedly struck several infrastructure facilities in Yemen, including an airport in the capital of Sanaa.
Speaking to the reporters who converged on this emergency press conference, Abdul Salam drew an unmistakable parallel with what is unfolding here and the continuous crisis in Gaza: “What we’re witnessing here mirrors the same tactics employed against Palestinian civilians,” he explained, his words carrying the weight of recent history.
The strikes that hit Sana’a airport have visibly disgruntled the locals. A shop owner near the airport in Sana’a, Hassan Al-Madhaji, recounted the night the attacks happened: “The explosions shook our windows. My children couldn’t sleep. This is more than just an attack on buildings – it’s an attack on our daily lives.”
Yemen has continued to support the Palestinian course of action despite having faced the devastating consequences, Abdul Salam was insistent that this was on principle. “These are not political choices,” he said “but choices flow from our basic moral and religious concerns.” His utterances struck the chord of many Yemenis who for long have considered the Palestinian question from being intertwined with their search for equity.
Attacks on Civilian Structures
The attacks have elicited concern from humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen due to the increase in attacks on the civilian structures. Sarah Martinez, a coordinator with an international aid group in Sana’a, pointed out the potential humanitarian impact: People also can easily get relief material by air since the airport is very essential in the delivery of aids. Injuring such a facility harms the most exposed population most likely given the fact that nearly all the raw material sources they rely on are imported into the country.
Domestic observers point out that the strikes indicate an increase in tensions in the Middle East. Dr. Ahmed Al-Sharafi, a political science professor at Sana’a University, offered context: “These attacks are completely new types of the conflict, which may produce greater consequences for the stability of the whole region.”
Even under the pressure of such attacks, the position of Abdul Salam was unanimous, Yemen will not change its stance. “Let me make this very clear, our principles are non–negotiable,” he said to both local and international viewers. This consistency although expensive seems to enjoy the support of the Yemeni population.
People gathered in Sana’a neighborhoods to discuss the damage and provide their opinions. Mother of three Fatima said, “We’ve endured much worse,” and she lived close to one of the targeted sites. “These attacks only strengthen our resolve.”
The effects of the attacks were still being felt in Yemeni society as Wednesday transitioned into Thursday. While local communities set up support networks for the impacted regions, emergency services worked through the night to evaluate the damage to the infrastructure.
The course of this worsening scenario will probably be decided in the days ahead. Nonetheless, Yemen’s stance seems unlikely to change in spite of the mounting pressure if Abdul Salam’s remarks accurately represent the attitude of the country as a whole.
