Since late 2014, Yemen has suffered as a result of a coup that that overthrew a legitimate government, leading to a war that continues to this day. From gunfire to suicide bombings to landmines, the most terrible effect of the conflict on Yemen's people is the violence. In total, the war has taken an estimated 377,000 lives.
But after eight years of suffering, The National has now heard from the US Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, that he is "cautiously optimistic" that a two-month truce struck in April, which has significantly decreased fighting, will be extended, possibly even into a permanent settlement.
It is another sign that the past few months have been momentous. On top of a decrease in fighting, last week the first commercial flight in nearly six years took off from the country's capital Sanaa, landing in Jordan. There are plans for a similar resumption to Egypt. At the beginning of the month, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels said it would return 163 prisoners to the Iran-backed group, a gesture to keep the ceasefire on track. In April, Yemen got a new presidential council and the Houthis said they would stop using child soldiers.
After years of inaction, these developments are signs that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. But it would still be a long tunnel. While the end of violence is the most important step to begin reconstruction, it is important to remember that 60 per cent of the 377,000 deaths in the conflict came not from direct fighting, but from the ensuing social and economic breakdown and the failure of the Houthis, who control the capital, which has led to disease – cholera and Covid-19 in particular – hunger, unsafe water and a decline in health care.
Overhanging all of this is mounting international fatigue. So many wasted years coupled with a new crisis in Ukraine risk diverting attention from this important political moment, the best opportunity to help Yemenis in years. Losing focus now would be disastrous, and there already signs it is happening. A UN conference to raise funds to salvage the decaying FSO Safer – an oil tanker moored of Yemen that could explode at any moment with devastating consequences for the country and its neighbours – raised just $33 million out of a target of $144m. And in April, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cited Yemen, among countries such as Ethiopia and Afghanistan, as a victim of international distraction as the Ukraine conflict intensified. From an organisation that plays an important role in bolstering the country's health sector, this is worrying.
Mr Lenderking thanked Gulf countries for their support, saying positive developments would not have happened without them. Its nations will continue contributing and exerting pressure when needed. Iran's participation will also be required. When asked by The National if Tehran was at risk of disengaging as talks in Austria over a new nuclear deal falter, he said: "We have seen the Yemen truce and de-escalation moving forward while the talks in Vienna have been stalled." While he "doesn't take anything for granted", he remains hopeful for more collaboration.
The next hurdle will be extending the truce, which expires on June 2. Eventually, in consort with the UN, there are hopes of a permanent one. Much has to be addressed until that happens, but much is to be gained if it does. It will be a victory for international diplomacy at a time when none are forthcoming elsewhere. And, most importantly of all, it could begin the process of ending the suffering of Yemen's people that has still not ceased, even during this ceasefire.
Racecard
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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
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- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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The five pillars of Islam
From Conquest to Deportation
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Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES
Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)
Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)
Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
