Barran Press
As Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice, arrived, "Barran Press" correspondent visited the southern frontlines in Marib province, Yemen, where soldiers are stationed far from family and traditional festivities.
The soldiers, many of whom spoke with the reporter, described their feelings of duty and resilience while celebrating Eid amidst the ongoing conflict.
Vigilance and Readiness
Officer Mohammed al-Haddad emphasized the heightened state of alert maintained by the Yemeni army and resistance forces. "Eid arrives with the army and resistance forces in a state of high vigilance and readiness to counter any offensive attempts," he stated.
He explained that the Houthi rebels often exploit holidays to try and break through the frontlines, believing that soldiers might leave their positions for Eid celebrations. "The Houthis' tactics are all exposed," al-Hadad asserted. "The armed forces are experienced and constantly working to thwart their attempts."
A Joyful Eid Atmosphere
Soldier Mustafa al-Hammadi described a sense of festive joy despite the battlefield setting. "We are experiencing a joyful Eid atmosphere in the fighting zones," he said.
The source of this joy, according to al-Hammadi, lies in their belief that they are protecting the happiness of millions of displaced Yemenis and safeguarding the nation from the Houthi threat. "The battle we are fighting, alongside the popular resistance, aims to dry up the sources of terrorism, extremism, and racism," he declared.
A Greater Joy to Come
Ibrahim al-Hetar, another soldier, expressed a longing for the return of true joy to Yemen, which he believes disappeared with the Houthi takeover of Sana'a in late 2014. "Every attempt to bring back joy is a beautiful effort worthy of praise for its impact on people's lives," he remarked.
Al-Hetar believes the greatest joy for the Yemeni people will be the liberation of their land from the "racist lineage" of the Houthis and their imposed rule. "Liberating the country must be the true action," he stressed. "All efforts should be directed towards the battle."
He dismissed talk of peace with the Houthis as "illusions and deception" that Yemenis are well aware of. "The Houthis have been breaking promises and violating agreements for over two decades," he stated.
Lessons from Arafat
Officer Abdullah Abbas, a member of the Yemeni armed forces, drew a parallel between Eid al-Adha and the gathering of millions of Muslims at the Plain of Arafat, highlighting the core values of unity and submission to God.
"This occasion teaches us that all people are equal," he said. "There is no racial, tribal, regional, or geographical division... The leader and the subordinate, their clothes are the same, their God is one, and they are only distinguished by piety. This is the spirit of Islam."
He emphasized the need to restore equality and justice in Yemen, where all citizens are equal before the law. "We stand on the frontlines to restore order and ensure that all Yemenis are equal before the law in terms of rights and duties," he said. "There should be no master or slave among the Yemeni people."
He accused the Houthis of trying to create a system of class division within Yemeni society, separating people into "lords" and "commoners."
Joy and Freedom
Soldier Said al-Abidi described the ideal Eid as one where joy is intertwined with complete freedom, security, and peace, which he believes can only be achieved with a strong state that eliminates terrorist militias.
"The joy we celebrate is incomplete," he lamented. "The free people are trying to snatch this joy from the dust of the battle, from the roar of bullets, and the claws of death."
Presence in the Hearts of the People
Sultan Mohammed, another soldier, spoke about spending Eid away from his family and the importance of their presence in the hearts of the Yemeni people.
"We may be absent from our families, but we are present in the hearts of the people and in the heart of the battle," he said.
He expressed a sense of fulfillment in knowing the significance of their fight and the noble goals they are striving for. "We feel content when we understand the importance of the battle and see its noble goals," he said. "We become more attached to our duty on the frontlines when we see the volume of prayers and support from our fellow citizens."