Barran Press
On September 24, 2024, Dr. Ahmed Obaid Bin Daghar, President of the Yemeni Shura Council, spoke about the significance of the September 26 Revolution and emphasized the need to defend its principles. He described this defense as a commitment to national unity, a shared Yemeni identity, equal citizenship, public liberties, and the hope for democracy. He noted that "a new revolution is taking shape in Houthi-controlled areas, and they will not be able to stop it."
According to the Yemeni News Agency Saba, Bin Daghar stated that "the September 26 Revolution paved the way for our people’s freedom, progress, and dignity, creating conditions that fueled the resistance against British colonialism in the south."
He reflected on the historical context, recalling that the freedom fighters from the south who supported the September Revolution were also instrumental in achieving the great October victory, which forced the colonizers to leave and opened the door to a new future for Yemen. He acknowledged the heavy losses suffered by the revolution but highlighted its resilience and the unwavering support from the people.
Bin Daghar characterized the September 26 Revolution as a pivotal event that transformed Yemen from the darkness of the Middle Ages into the light of contemporary civilization, underscoring the secret of its endurance.
He also remarked that the accumulated challenges over six decades could have led to a significant transformation in Yemen’s political system, especially following the National Dialogue Conference, which addressed power distribution and wealth-sharing.
The outcomes of this dialogue, he emphasized, present various projects, but only the federal-state project holds legitimacy and offers solutions for current issues, fostering hope for a decisive victory. He pointed out that the resurgence of the imamate, rooted in Qom and Tehran, has hindered this transformation.
“Bin Daghar expressed hope for a just peace based on the equitable values agreed upon during the National Dialogue Conference,” adding that the outcomes of the dialogue fundamentally represent a comprehensive and equitable federal state project for those willing to contribute to a new Yemen and a new republic.
He also addressed the plight of those celebrating the September 26 Revolution, including politicians, intellectuals, and journalists in Houthi-controlled areas, who face intimidation, imprisonment, and violence. He likened these criminal practices to the oppression faced by Yemen’s freedom fighters before the revolution.
Bin Daghar noted that the glorious September and October revolutions laid the groundwork for Yemen's unification. He stated that the public's commemoration of September, despite ongoing repression, reflects a profound understanding of the connection between revolution, unity, and the desired future.
Yemenis will celebrate the 61st anniversary of the republic and the fall of the imamate system on September 26, 1962. As September began, Yemenis quickly adorned their social media pages with slogans and chants of the September 26 Revolution.
Since the coup against the legitimate government, the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution has become a platform for expressing rejection of Houthi rule and demands for the restoration of the republic. Many accuse the group of attempting to erase the revolution's legacy from educational curricula and media.
Yemenis believe the Houthi movement is genuinely fearful, knowing that a significant majority reject its ideology and governance style. In an attempt to quell public discontent, the group raised the Yemeni flag in the famous Al-Sabeen Square in Sana'a alongside banners bearing the slogan “The Khomeini Revolution.” However, they later banned the sale of the Yemeni flag in tailoring shops and initiated a crackdown on activists advocating for the celebration of this occasion.