Introduction
Abdul Aziz is a 23-year-old Yemeni national young man who has witnessed war periods during his entire life in Yemen. The interviewee (Abdul Aziz) is tall, slim, and brown and wears a thobe (Islamic clothing for men). Abdul Aziz has long dark hair, which is curly in some ways. Since he was born 23 years ago, Abdul Aziz has never known peace because the war continues even after peace efforts bear fruit. Abdul Aziz’s academic life has constantly been interrupted by continuous war periods. For example, he stopped school at the age of 14. He was supposed to join high school but could not because of political instability, which continued affecting the country during this age. Presently, Abdul Aziz lives in the United States, granted asylum because of war. In this regard, he is still planning to go back to school and further his education to improve his skills and competencies. He hopes to further his education and get better job opportunities to utilize his skills and competencies.
What do you think is the Primary Cause of the Crisis in Yemen?
[Abdul Aziz tries to think hard to provide an answer and seems not to be ready to answer the question. However, he gains courage and explains]. The Yemeni civil war has been fought since 2014 and has been caused by conflicts between various factions. For example, there has always been a conflict between the Houthi armed movement and the Yemeni government, claiming responsibility for governing the country (Arjona, p. 6). The Yemeni government can embrace the negotiated political settlement with the factions to avoid the war. Many political divisions have led to the escalation of the political crisis in Yemen. The Houthi takeover, increased fuel prices, Saudi intervention, and military division are some of the factors. For example, the pressure from the international community such as the World Bank and IMF led to promised loans to the country based on economic reforms. The interference by neighboring countries has continued to contribute to the crisis in Yemen. For example, in March 2015, various regional countries with the United States and other Western countries have been fuelling the war in Yemen. As a result, the situation deteriorated, leading to more problems.
How Can This War Affect the Politics of the Middle East?
[Abdul Aziz hesitates for a moment as if to form an answer]. The crisis emanated after conflicts between different factions in the country and the failure of political processes, which were supposed to bring stability after the 2011 uprising (Brandt, p. 10). “Such a crisis led to the president handing over power to his deputy”. The Yemeni war has affected the Middle East leading to a humanitarian, military, economic, and political crisis. For example, the Yemeni war led to a financial conflict to control the country’s economy and the entire Middle East, leading to a political stalemate. In addition, the war in Yemen has led to some external influences such as Saudi Arabia and Iran who have been known to finance armed groups within the country. As a result, the war in Yemen has led to sustained destabilization and internal fighting. The war had also led to weak national security capabilities and the proliferation of small arms leading to more security issues in the Middle East. There are millions of weapons in Yemen, facilitating conflict and violence on a larger scale.
What changes would you suggest in solving the conflict between the warring factions in the country?
[Abdul Aziz stares at me in the eye and shakes his head as if to demonstrate disapproval for the question]. The international approach is the best remedy to solve the ongoing Yemeni war. It is time to change how things have always been done and it is not business as usual (Egel, p. 8). In this regard, the international community should mediate the warring factions to come to an amicable solution. De-escalation of violence is one of the best political solutions to the war situation in the country. Building an enduring or lasting peace in Yemen is the way forward in solving the crisis. Negotiated ceasefires are a good strategy of handling the political and economic crisis in Yemen. Supporting peace processes to tackle issues of humanitarian, economic, and security situations are some of the best strategies. In addition, there is a need to support and strengthen local capacities for peace for promoting peaceful coexistence. For example, the use of civil society and youth groups may help to implement small projects on how people can coexistence peacefully. In addition, conducting public relations campaigns can provide an educational purpose to support peaceful coexistence.
How has living in a war-torn country affected your development as a person and your life in general?
[Abdul Aziz puts his right hand into the cheek and observes a moment of silence for some few seconds without responding]. Living in Yemen as a war-torn area is one of the most horrific things a person can go through (Fraihat, p. 9). I have been “deprived of my rights to traveling, entertainment, education, and leisure” as a young man. In this regard, I have been subjected to subsequent abuses which seem to curtail my freedom of association, expression, and movement. Living in Yemen provide economic, social, humanitarian, and political crisis of monumental proportions. In this regard, the war in Yemen provides the country with one of the most pronounced humanitarian crisis in the world. Therefore, children have been robbed off their futures and cannot complete their education. The inability of people to complete their studies is has caused the vicious cycle of poverty. Since the escalation of the crisis in 2015, the country has become very problematic for the country’s children. As a result of the war, less than half of healthcare facilities are functioning and a few which remain operational lack the basic amenities.
What is the most traumatizing experience you ever had while living in a war zone territory like Yemen?
[Abdul Aziz becomes sad because of this question and suddenly touches his right cheek with his hand]. Because of the war situation in Yemen, I have developed mental problems. In this regard, I often overthink when I think about how I have suffered and lost some of my close family members because of the war. Like my uncle……[tears start rolling down his cheeks and his voice fades away]. However, he suddenly gains the courage to narrate how he lost his uncle when some armed militia attacked him in cold blood slashing him to death (Brandt, p. 4). In addition, this incident has consistently made him traumatized, and has mental issues which will not fade away. Although there are so many things that Abdul Aziz has hated about the way, losing his uncle was the climax of such issues.
What Career Path do You Wish to Pursue in the Future, and What Will its Relevance be in Resolving this Ongoing Conflict in Your Country?
[For the first time, Abdul Aziz smiles sheepishly as if to lack confidence on how to answer that query]. I wish to study international relations (diplomacy) and conflict resolutions that suit our current predicament of war (Arjona, p. 11). Even though I have always wanted to be an Engineer, our war situation has influenced me to change my career plan. I need to “understand issues to do with conflict resolutions and peace-building”. In addition, I also feel like being a public speaker will help in the war situation because it will capture people’s attention and help prevent further crises. Being a public speaker will also help involve and influence the audience who might have played a role in the war. Therefore, it will help persuade people to stop certain things that could have contributed to the war situation. As a public speaker, I will also have the ability and moral ground to encourage people to stop the war to study. I am a victim of a war situation in Yemen where I could not finish school because of the crisis. At the tender age of 14, I stopped my education and could not join high school.
Assuming you had the power to make changes, what exactly would you do to ensure your fellows and the future generations get educated equally?
[Abdul Aziz adjusts his posture as if to move the seat forward and gaze at me]. I would primarily focus on security and peace-building initiatives given a chance. Others issues like social and economic development will take a back seat for the time being until I focus more on peace efforts. Social welfare will also be my principal concern, like offering free healthcare for small children (Brandt, p. 4). In addition, I would involve the international donors or sponsors to support educational programs with long-term funding. Furthermore, I would ensure all teachers or learning instructors get regular pay so that children can continue to grow and learn. There is also the need to discourage or stop the attacks on educational institutions. In the recent past, there has been many such attacks on schools which have been leading to a crisis in the educational sector. I would involve international bodies like UNICEF who would call all the stakeholders in the country to uphold the rights of the children. In this regard, such an initiative would promote educational opportunities for such children and promote a conducive environment to work together to achieve an inclusive and lasting peace.
What role does the international community have to play regarding the war in Yemen?
[Abdul Aziz stares at me as if he does not have an answer and is almost overcome by emotions]. “Even with the willingness of the international community to assist the suffering people of Yemen, there is a failure of providing food aid for the people which is the worst international dilemma facing the country.” Abdul Aziz shakes his head and is overcome by emotions. The international community like the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and other leading powers have a relevant role in peace and diplomatic efforts in Yemen (Egel, p. 4). For example, the US economic and political policies have a leading role. “The US can closely evaluate and sometimes reject arms sales to the country”. In addition, it can impose sanctions on the country that will ensure rebels do not have a regular supply of dangerous weapons. “Thus, even with the willingness of the international community to assist the suffering people of Yemen, there is a failure of providing food aid for the people which is the worst international dilemma facing the country.” Abdul Aziz shakes his head and is overcome by emotions.
Conclusion
All in all, Yemen is one of the leading countries affected by war in the world. Since 2014, Yemen has never seen peace because of conflicts between different warring factions. For example, the Houthi Movement and the Yemeni government have always had intermittent conflicts leading to further crises.
Works Cited
Arjona, Ana. Rebel Governance in Civil War, New York, Yale University Press, 2015.
Brandt, Marieke. Tribes and Politics in Yemen: A History of Houthi Conflict, London: Oxford University Press, 2017.
Day, Stephen & Brehony, Noel. Global, Regional, and Local Dynamics in the Yemen Crisis, New York: Springer Shop. 2020.
Egel, Daniel. Building an Enduring Peace in Yemen: Lessons From Five Years of RAND Research, New York, Wiley, 2021.
Fraihat, Ibrahim. Unfinished Revolutions: Yemen, Libya, and Tunisia After the Arab Spring, Chicago: Yale University Press, 2016.
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