Today, Thursday, September 26, 2024, marks the 62nd anniversary of the September 26, 1962 Revolution, which overthrew the oppressive imamate regime in Yemen, known for its tyranny and the triad of hunger, ignorance, and disease, and established a republican system based on freedom and equal citizenship.

This report from Barran Press highlights the significant role that Marib Governorate, located in northeastern Yemen, played in the events of this revolution and its defense, given its geographical proximity to the capital, Sana'a, and the community's rejection of the imamate's oppressive ideology.

The Path to Freedom

Republican fighter Sheikh Mohsen Bin Saleh Batran Al-Abeidi, a native of Marib and participant in the September 26 Revolution, told Barran Press, "The revolution opened the path to freedom for the Yemeni people, and we felt psychological relief after its success."

Recalling his experiences during the revolution, he said, "We arrived in Sana'a and met with Al-Sallal in small mud buildings, where we divided tasks. I was part of a patrol unit on horseback, patrolling the city of Sana'a at night to secure it."

Pursuing the Remnants of the Imamate

After the overthrow of the imamate in Sana'a, Al-Abeidi noted that he and his fellow fighters from Marib, along with other revolutionaries, moved to Al-Jawf to pursue the remnants of the imamate, which were regrouping in the desert and planning attacks on republican forces.

"We headed to Al-Jawf to chase the imamate remnants in the Al-Khanjar area. We fought battles in various locations, culminating in a fierce battle in the 'Adlin' region of Al-Jawf, where dozens were killed, including our comrade Sheikh Hamid Bin Hussein Al-Ahmar, brother of Abdullah Bin Hussein Al-Ahmar."

Defending the Republic

In early February 1968, the remnants of the imamate launched a counteroffensive against Sana'a in an attempt to undermine the nascent republic, imposing a tight siege for over two months.

In response, the revolutionary leadership called on the tribes of Yemen and the free people to defend the republic. This call was met by the tribes of Marib and Al-Bayda, led by republican fighter Ahmed Abdul-Rab Al-Awadhi, who mobilized as a popular resistance to break the siege and defend the republic.

Fighter Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Aqeeli, who participated in breaking the "Siege of the Seventy," recounted how he and his tribes, along with others from Harib in southern Marib, moved to the Al-Juraibat area, joining forces with Ahmed Abdul-Rab Al-Awadhi and tribes from Al-Baydha to head towards Dhamar to relieve the siege on Sana'a.

On their way, they encountered several ambushes set by imamate elements in the "Bub Al-Falak" area, engaging in fierce confrontations. Al-Aqeeli added, "After facing ambushes in Dhamar, we redirected to Ibb, then to Taiz, reaching Al-Hodeidah, where we met with republican forces led by Sinan Abu Lahoum, before advancing towards Sana'a."

Securing the Republic

Upon reaching Sana'a, Al-Aqeeli stated, "We arrived in the land of Bani Matar and engaged in battles against the royalists from Bani Matar, who were besieging the house of republican Sheikh Ahmed Ali Al-Matari in the Boua area."

He continued, "After intense confrontations, we managed to break the siege and reached Ahmed Ali Al-Matari, who welcomed us. We stayed as his guests and then moved with him to Mount Nabi Shu'ayb, where we fought for three days, ultimately taking control and breaking the siege on Sana'a, opening the route between Sana'a and Al-Hodeidah, facilitating the delivery of food, medicine, arms, and ammunition."

Following the lifting of the siege on Sana'a, Al-Aqeeli recounted, "We proceeded to the Al-Rawda area, engaging in fierce battles against royalist gatherings led by Qasim Mansar. We continued fighting for a month until he surrendered along with his men to republican forces, securing full control over Sana'a."

He concluded by stating that he and the fighters from Marib moved back to Al-Jawf to pursue the remnants of the imamate, engaging in fierce battles until they were completely eradicated, ensuring the republican system was established across northern Yemen and ending the imamate's existence entirely.

An Early Role

The involvement of Marib's residents in the events of the September 26 Revolution was not only significant but also rooted in a strong historical precedent. One notable figure is Sheikh Ali Nasir Al- Qarda’i Al-Muradi, who played a crucial role in the 1948 Constitution Revolution.

Hailing from the Rahba district in southern Marib, Al-Qarda’i, like many of his peers, was deprived of formal education, particularly in rural regions. However, he possessed a profound national consciousness cultivated from his Bedouin upbringing.

Al- Qarda’i was not only a wise leader but also a talented poet, with numerous nationalistic poems and folk verses still recited today. His works vividly portray the realities faced by Yemenis during that period and critique the monarchical regime. His strong national identity and commitment to justice positioned him as one of the key leaders of the Constitution Revolution.

Researchers note that Al-Qarda’i's actions, along with those of other Marib residents, reflect the early awareness within the Maribi community of their duty to combat the oppression imposed by the imamate and their yearning for a state grounded in social justice.

A New Presence

With the Houthi movement's rise, viewed as a continuation of the imamate's lineage and ideology, and its takeover of Sana'a in late 2014, Marib once again emerged as a frontline defender of the republic. From the outset, residents of Marib mobilized to the outskirts of the governorate, armed and prepared to defend the republican system, firmly opposing the Houthi rebellion and its armed attempts to dismantle the republic and restore a dark, catastrophic past.

For the tenth consecutive year, Marib has represented one of the most critical fronts against the remnants of the imamate, embodied in the Iran-backed Houthi movement. In this way, Marib has established a renewed presence in defending the republic, continuing its historical legacy from the Constitution and September 26 Revolutions.