• العربية
  • Deutsch
  • Français

The National Team For Foreign Outreach - Yemen

  • العربية
  • Deutsch
  • Français

Abdul-Malik Al-Sanabani… a Victim of Sana’a Airport Closure! – September 2021

After a long absence of more than ten years, Abdul-Malik returned from his exile in America to his homeland, Yemen, through Aden Airport. He returned full of passions and eagerness to meet his family in Anas District, Dhamar Governorate. Like many other expatriates in various countries of the world, Abdul-Malik Al-Sanabani had to return via Aden Airport, which is run by the US-Saudi occupation countries. In fact, many expatriates were unable to return, fearing that they would face the same end of Abdul-Malik.

Even citizens at home sufferings from chronic diseases have not been able to travel through Sana’a airport, upon which the Saudi-led Coalition have imposed a closure since August 2016. This has forced expatriates and patients to travel via Aden or Seiyun Airports.

Upon arrival at Aden Airport, Abdul-Malik took a car from the yard of Aden Airport and traveled by land to reach his village, where his family is waiting for him eagerly. While he was in the car and at a checkpoint of the 9th Sa’iqah Brigade forces supported by the War Coalition in the area of Tur Al-Baha of Lahj Governorate, they blackmailed him and threatened him to hand them over all his money. When he refused, they kidnapped him, arrested him and accused him of being a Houthi leader. Then, they subjected him mercilessly to all forms and methods of torture until he died. The local people found Abdul-Malik’s dead body with three shots from behind and his hands tied back. Not only that, those wild beasts further stole all his money and personal belongings.

His family, mother, friends at home and abroad, especially in the US and all expatriates, were chocked to know about the story of his murder in such a barbaric and brutal way. This incident has bewildered expatriates and Yemeni students abroad very much, and many of them were afraid and decided not to return back via Aden Airport.

Still more, four young people studying in Malaysia were also reported to have been subjected to arrest, abduction and enforced disappearance, and their fate was not known until several months later.

This incident and other similar incidents practiced against helpless travelers and expatriates through Aden airport spread a wide rage among people, and they called for the necessity of re-opening Sana’a airport.

Expatriates and travelers to and from Yemen chanted with anger in front of the UN Office saying:

“Stop siege on Sana’a International Airport! Open Sana’a Airport soon! We want to visit Yemen through Sana’a Airport and not via the Airport of Death!”

« 1 of 4 »
Play Video

Statistics

Close