Barran Press
Yemen's Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Qasem Mohammed Buhaibeh, has praised Marib province as a "true model of resistance, resilience, and hope for the return of a unified Yemeni state for all."
In a special interview with "Barran Press" coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Marib's "Matareh" (camps), Dr. Buhaibeh highlighted the crucial role played by Marib's local authorities, led by Governor Sultan bin Ali al-Arada, and the province's security, military, and administrative bodies in resisting the Houthi coup since its inception in September 2014.
The "Matareh," established in September 2014, were armed, popular camps formed by Marib tribes in the "Nakhla and Sahaeel" regions, as well as the western and southern outskirts of the province. This initiative, rooted in tribal tradition, was a response to the escalating Houthi offensive aimed at seizing control of Marib by force. The camps were formed just two months after the Houthis began mobilizing troops and attacking tribal communities along the borders of Marib, Jawf, and Sana'a provinces, following their takeover of Amran in July 2014. Their advance continued towards Sana'a, culminating in the capture of the capital on September 21, 2014.
Dr. Buhaibeh, a native of Marib, emphasized the vital role of Marib's tribes, political parties, and community members in confronting the Houthi coup and their initial attempts to seize control of the oil-rich province in late 2014, before the intervention of the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia in support of the legitimate Yemeni government.
He lauded this "pioneering" experience, where authorities and society united, as a key factor in Marib's resilience. He stated that this unity "strengthened Marib's steadfastness, and from it, a true model of resistance, resilience, and hope for the return of a unified Yemeni state for all has emerged."
The Yemeni minister stressed the importance of "continuing the path of resistance, resilience, unity, honesty, cooperation, and transparency among all segments of Marib society, including local authorities, the army, security forces, tribes, displaced persons, politicians, and all segments of society, especially in light of the difficult living and economic conditions. Today, we are facing an economic war that is no different from the military war."
Interview Transcript:
Interviewer: How do you assess the position and performance of the local authority in Marib, along with the security and military apparatus, during their response to the Houthi aggression in 2014? What role did they play in unifying community and political efforts to defend the governorate and protect vital institutions during that critical period in the country’s history?
Minister Buhaibeh: First, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Baran Media Foundation for hosting this discussion. There is no doubt that the local authority in Marib, under the leadership of Governor Sultan bin Ali Al-Aradah, along with the security, military, and administrative bodies, has shouldered the greatest national responsibility since the tragic Houthi coup on September 21, 2014. They have risen to the occasion, uniting all community efforts represented by the tribes of Marib and various social, political, and civil components into a robust September Republic framework. This coalition has been, and continues to be, the solid nucleus defending the Republic of Yemen against all adversities.
Since that time, they have successfully managed and protected all vital institutions and facilities with exceptional dedication, prioritizing the national interest above all else, despite the relentless aggression faced by the governorate from Houthi militias. I would describe the stance taken by Marib and its political and community components as “progressive,” reflecting a profound understanding of the nature of these militias, which only believe in military force and expansionist mentality. This position has enabled the Yemeni state to maintain national strongholds to which it can return.
Interviewer: What does the stance of the Marib tribes, rejecting the Houthi coup against the legitimate government, signify? How has this position inspired hope among Yemenis and motivated them to resist? What lessons can be drawn from this stance?
Minister Buhaibeh: The tribes of Marib are acutely aware of the destructive dangers posed by the Houthi movement. They supported the tribes of Al-Jawf in resisting the Houthi expansion and engaged in battles against the militias in Al-Jawf and the outskirts of Marib since 2012, prior to the Houthi coup. Therefore, the tribes of Marib recognized the threats posed by the Houthis early on, which is why they began organizing and preparing to confront them while other political forces were still betting on dialogue with the Houthis.
This proactive stance demonstrated a deep understanding of the nature of these militias, which only believe in military force and an expansionist mindset. It allowed the Yemeni state to maintain national strongholds for its eventual return.
Interviewer: How do you evaluate the position of Marib's political parties that diverged from their central leadership in Sana'a and chose to confront the Houthi coup, defending the governorate and the state alongside the tribes and local authority?
Minister Buhaibeh: The leadership of Marib's political parties, being part of the same resilient social fabric that naturally resists the sectarian dominance of the Houthi militias, aligned their strong national stance with their local community. They adopted the same advanced approach to resist the Houthis from the very beginning, standing alongside the local authority and the diverse segments of Marib society.
Interviewer: How can we benefit from the experience of Marib, where tribes united with political parties and local leadership to defend the governorate and prevent its fall into the hands of the militias, presenting a living model of statehood?
Minister Buhaibeh: I believe that this pioneering experience of unity and a shared stance among the authority and community has significantly bolstered Marib's resilience. It has provided a true model of resistance, steadfastness, and hope for the return of a national Yemeni state that is inclusive of all.
Interviewer: What is your message to Marib and all its components on the 10th anniversary of its heroic stance in defense of the state, the republican system, national identity, and the values of peace and coexistence?
Minister Buhaibeh: It is crucial to continue the path of resistance, steadfastness, unity, sincerity, cooperation, and transparency among all segments of the Marib community, including local authority, military, security, tribes, displaced persons, politicians, and all facets of Marib society. Especially given the difficult living and economic conditions we face today, we are confronting an economic war that is no different from the military conflict.