Sana'a: The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology has issued a strong appeal to the international community, including the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations, as well as humanitarian and rights organizations, to ensure the neutrality of the telecommunications sector from political conflicts and safeguard its infrastructure and workforce.
According to Yemen News Agency, the ministry's statement was released in conjunction with the 57th World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. Despite the challenging political, economic, and social conditions caused by ongoing aggression and blockades, Yemen remains committed to participating in the global commemoration. The ministry's statement called on global organizations to counter efforts to fragment and destroy Yemen's telecommunications institutions, highlighting that over 35 percent of the nation's telecom and IT infrastructure has been demolished during more than 11 years of conflict, with over 2,764 airstrikes targeting critical telecom facilities.
The ministry further emphasized the ongoing hardships faced by Yemen's telecom and IT sector due to the aggression and blockade, including the intentional targeting of telecom sites and the blockade's prevention of telecommunication equipment entry intended for civilian use. This blockade aims to disconnect Yemen from the digital world and impede technological advancements within the sector.
Despite these adversities, the ministry is making concerted efforts to rebuild and enhance the telecommunications and IT sector with limited available resources. Recent achievements, albeit at high costs, have allowed telecom services to continue reaching Yemeni citizens. These efforts include improving internet speed and quality, rehabilitating damaged infrastructure, expanding fourth-generation networks, and promoting digital transformation and empowerment.
The ministry reiterated its plea for coalition countries to ensure the safety and maintenance of submarine cables, facilitate the repair and implementation of related projects, and keep telecom infrastructure free from political disputes. The ministry highlighted Yemen's long-standing role as an active partner in these projects.
Additionally, the ministry urged international and humanitarian bodies to view the plight of the Yemeni people as a humanitarian issue, advocating for an end to military attacks and violations against telecom and internet infrastructure. The statement called for the lifting of restrictions on telecom equipment, enabling the restoration of services to affected regions, and bridging the digital divide between Yemen and the global community.
The ministry also stressed the urgent need for coalition countries to permit the installation of the SMW5 submarine cable branch in Hodeidah Governorate, which is vital for Yemen's telecom infrastructure. It held coalition countries accountable for the ongoing destruction of telecom facilities and the broader humanitarian impact on Yemen.
In a final appeal, the ministry called upon the international community, International Telecommunication Union, United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to uphold their responsibilities in addressing the damage to Yemen's telecom infrastructure, ensuring the continuity of services, and fostering reliable global connectivity for the nation.