Sana'a:Yemen Afaq Center for Research and Studies hosted a political seminar in Sana'a titled "The Islamic World and the Saudi War on Yemen Official Alliances, Popular Positions and Prospects for a Just Peace," featuring contributions from Turkish and Pakistani participants.
According to Yemen News Agency, the seminar attracted ambassadors, academics, and activists to discuss the war's repercussions, the disparity between popular and official positions, and the security and legal dimensions of the Mecca Agreement. It also examined the prospects for de-escalation and achieving a just peace between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Hani Al-Mughlas, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics at Sana'a University and Chairman of the Center's Board of Trustees, critiqued Saudi Arabia's portrayal of the conflict as a regional struggle, overshadowing the suffering of the Yemeni people. He emphasized that Yemenis have borne significant hardships without adequate support from the Islamic world. Al-Mughlas noted a shift in international attention towards Yemen following the events of Al-Aqsa Flood, which he described as a turning point after 2023.
Al-Mughlas questioned the rationale behind Saudi Arabia's 2015 military intervention aimed at restoring Yemen's internationally recognized government. He argued that the intervention primarily expanded Saudi influence, exacerbating Yemen's divisions and regional rivalries. He also challenged Saudi claims of providing humanitarian aid, highlighting Yemen's ongoing humanitarian crisis as reported by the UN.
Turkish journalist Nureddin Sirin remarked that Yemenis are defending the Islamic nation against US and Israeli imperialism, emphasizing their resilience against injustice and deprivation. He accused Saudi Arabia of betraying the Islamic nation by aligning with US interests and cooperating with Israel. Sirin praised Yemen's resistance and its potential to inspire a brighter future for the Islamic world.
Pakistani journalist Katrina Hussain recalled Pakistan's 2015 parliamentary decision against joining the Saudi-led war on Yemen, a stance widely supported by the Pakistani public. She emphasized Pakistan's desire to avoid conflict with another Muslim nation and called for regional cooperation to achieve lasting peace in Yemen. Hussain stressed the need for efforts that extend beyond ceasefire agreements, aiming for sustainable peace and reconstruction in Yemen.
