Yemen is a country that has been plagued by a civil war for almost a decade now. This conflict has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and caused severe humanitarian suffering. Despite its status as the Arab world’s poorest country, it has a rich and complex history that has been shaped by various factors. Here are six things you should know about Yemen.
Yemeni Unity
It was split into two states for much of the 20th century. The north was a former Ottoman region that became a kingdom, while the south was ruled by Britain. The two Yemeni states united in 1990, but the union has been uneasy ever since. In 1994, the south broke away, leading to a short-lived civil war. The secessionists remained strong, and the two regions remain divided to this day.
Al-Qaeda and IS
It has a long history of jihadist activity, dating back to the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole off the coast of Aden. The group has also been linked to the attempted 2009 Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight and the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris. The Islamic State group is also active in Yemen.
Devastating War
In 2014, Huthi rebels from the north seized control of the capital Sanaa, prompting Saudi Arabia to form an international coalition in support of it’s government. Saudi Arabia launched a brutal bombing campaign and blockade that caused mass civilian casualties. The conflict has escalated into a regional conflagration that has killed nearly 380,000 people and displaced millions, creating the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. A UN-brokered ceasefire was agreed in 2022, and a resumption of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia has raised hopes for lasting peace in Yemen.
Arabian ‘Manhattan’
Yemen’s rich cultural heritage is now in peril. The fortified town of Zabid, the old city of Sanaa, and the ancient walled city of Shibam, known as the “Manhattan of the desert,” are all listed as endangered by UNESCO. These sites are at risk of being lost forever due to the ongoing conflict and neglect.
Bold filmmaking
Yemen once had nearly 50 cinemas, but most shut down in the mid-1990s due to a lack of funding and conservative opposition. However, the industry has seen a revival in recent years, with films such as “Karama Has No Walls” and “I Am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced” gaining international recognition. In 2023, a Yemeni film was shown at the Berlin Film Festival, marking a significant achievement for the country’s cinema industry.
Coffee Culture
Yemen is known for its rich coffee culture, and it is believed to be the birthplace of coffee. Legend has it that a Yemeni shepherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became energetic after eating berries from a certain tree, and he tried the berries himself, discovering their stimulating effects. The coffee trade played a significant role in Yemen’s economy for centuries, with the port city of Mocha serving as a major hub for coffee exports.
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In conclusion, Yemen is a country with a complex and rich history that is currently facing significant challenges. Its ongoing civil war has caused immense suffering, but there is hope for a lasting peace settlement. Yemen’s cultural heritage is also at risk, and urgent action is needed to protect its historical sites. Despite these challenges, Yemen’s cinema industry is showing signs of revival, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.
