Latest news with #Yemeni
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Millions of years of evolution could be wiped out on 'Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,' conservationists warn
Sitting off the Horn of Africa, the Yemeni island of Socotra was largely left to its own devices for centuries, its few guests arriving to trade for aromatic frankincense, the healing plant aloe and the crimson sap of the dragon's blood tree, used for dyes. Roughly the size of New York's Long Island, Socotra is about 140 miles off the coast of Somalia, a remote location that has allowed a unique ecosystem to flourish. It has a rich array of bird and animal life, and the coral reefs off its shores teem with colorful marine of its 825 plant species cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, according to UNESCO. Some, including conservationist Kay Van Damme, have called it the Galápagos of the Indian Ocean and along with other experts, he is warning that millions of years of evolution on Socotra could be under 'serious threat.' 'Climate change is by far the biggest threat to the island's biodiversity,' Van Damme, who has worked on Socotra for more than two decades, told NBC News in a call last month. 'It is a relatively small island with a predominantly arid climate. Even small additional impacts from climate change can have an outsized effect, putting further pressure on fragile ecosystems.' Prolonged droughts brought on by climate change are compounding damage from devastating cyclones in 2015 and 2018 that destroyed reefs, eroded soil and uprooted rare plants. The island's lifeblood, endemic species of frankincense trees, are also under threat. Four of the 11 recognized species on the island were classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in March. Five were recognized as endangered.'Their decline reflects the wider degradation of terrestrial habitats across the island and the ecosystems they support,' said Van Damme, adding that overgrazing — predominantly from goats — is another significant challenge, leading to habitat degradation and 'leaving behind overmature trees with fewer younger trees to replace them.' Tourism's growing footprint Attracted by Socotra's pristine beaches, turquoise waters and surreal flora, tourists are also placing mounting pressure on the island's fragile ecosystem. While there is only a handful of hotels, mostly in the capital Hadibo, a growing number of tour operators offer luxury camping and 4x4 tours around the island, some of which are packaged as ecotourism. Authorities have agreed to limit the number of tourists to around 4,500 per year, Ali Yahya, a local conservationist and tour operator, said in an interview last month, adding that when it came to 'very sensitive areas in terms of ecosystems, biodiversity and cultural heritage, it's strictly not allowed to build any big buildings or large-scale hotels.' But despite Socotra's UNESCO World Heritage designation — requiring preservation under international agreements — violations occur frequently, another local guide, Abdulraoof al-Gamhi, said in a series of voice and written messages last month. 'Some tourists build fires under dragon blood trees, carve inscriptions into rare trees, leave trash behind them and scare birds with their drones,' he said. But he added that many of the island's residents benefit from tourism and that it is 'very important' for 'tour companies, car owners, drivers, restaurants, hotels and sellers of handcrafts.' Echoing his concerns, Van Damme also said endangered species were 'being killed just for a selfie,' with rare species like chameleons being captured so tourists can take pictures with them. Al-Gamhi also said he expected the number of tourists to rise as more people discover the unique locale, and 'that will put a lot of pressure on our environment.' 'It will be a big challenge,' he added. A cautionary tale Although the Galápagos comparison is often used to celebrate Socotra's biodiversity, it can also serve as a warning, according to Van Damme, who co-authored a 2011 study on human impacts on the island. Since the 19th century, the Galápagos, remote islands some 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador known for their unique flora and fauna, have lost numerous endemic species to habitat disruption, overtourism and invasive species. 'Perhaps Socotran ecosystems,' Van Damme wrote at the time, 'could now be considered as having at least, a similar state of health of those in the Galápagos at the time of [the Ecuadorian islands'] nomination as world heritage site 30 years ago.' He added that Socotra risked a similar fate without 'timely conservation efforts.' 'If we consider the present-day condition in the Galápagos, we might catch a glimpse of Socotra's future, or better, what could happen if trends and threats continue in parallel,' the paper added. That assessment 'turned out to be very predictive,' particularly in terms of climate change, he told NBC News. The Galápagos Islands now host over 250,000 annual visitors, under strict controls including visitor caps, mandatory guides, designated trails and substantial tourism fees, which fund conservation. Socotra needs to implement similar protections before damage becomes irreversible, Van Damme said. Culture and tradition Beyond the environment, there are signs that tourism is also eroding the island's social fabric, according to Yahya, who said there was already a 'cultural shift' among its 60,000 residents, many of whom remain deeply traditional and speak Soqotri, an ancient, unwritten language with pre-Islamic roots. 'International behaviors are influencing locals, and we worry about the erosion of our traditions,' he said, adding that while tourists were welcome, some of them needed to be more respectful. An Instagram picture of a woman posing in a bikini beneath a dragon's blood tree had upset residents of one mountain village, he said, adding that it was seen as highly disrespectful by the conservative residents. Despite the pressures, there are reasons to be positive, Van Damme said, noting that authorities on the island are open to collaboration and local conservation projects are gaining traction. 'Community-led and other ongoing initiatives are vital,' he said. 'As long as they continue, there's genuine hope for the island's future.'
Khabar Agency
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Khabar Agency
Report: Over 2,700 Cases of Torture, Death in Houthi Prisons Since 2014
The Yemeni National Commission for Prisoners and Detainees has documented more than 2,700 cases of torture and death in Houthi militia prisons since the group's 2014 coup, stating that these violations constitute crimes against humanity under international law. In a statement marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Commission reported 2,388 documented cases of torture and 324 deaths. Among the victims were 275 women and 67 children, while the fatalities included 12 children and 2 women—highlighting the militia's systematic targeting of vulnerable groups. The Commission disclosed that the Houthi militia runs an extensive network of 778 prisons and detention centers across 17 Yemeni governorates, including official, secret, and private facilities where detainees endure brutal physical and psychological torture. Documented torture methods include severe beatings, burning, electrocution, suspension by limbs, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and sexual and verbal abuse—practices that flagrantly violate international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute. Expressing deep concern over escalating abuses, the Commission urged immediate international action, including the formation of an independent investigative committee to hold perpetrators accountable. It demanded the unconditional release of all forcibly disappeared detainees and the closure of secret prisons, while calling for unfettered access for human rights organizations to detention sites. The Commission warned that global inaction not only fails torture victims but also emboldens the Iran-backed Houthi militia to continue its atrocities. It called on the international community to use this occasion to pressure the militia to end its torture practices and deliver justice for victims.
Khabar Agency
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Khabar Agency
Exclusive: Decapitated Bodies of Young Girls Found Buried in Houthi-Controlled Sanaa
Local sources revealed the discovery of unidentified young girls' bodies that had been dismembered and mutilated in a farm located in Old Sanaa City, the Yemeni capital under the control of the terrorist Houthi militia. A resident of the Old City told a "Khabar" agency correspondent that the bodies of four girls were found, decapitated and dismembered, before being buried in one of the area's farms. The source reported that the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia is heavily suppressing information about the incident, preventing residents from approaching or photographing the crime scene. The perpetrators remain at large, while the militia has taken no serious measures to uncover the criminals or hold them accountable. Areas under Houthi control, including the capital Sanaa, have seen a noticeable rise in crime rates amid an almost complete absence of the rule of law. The militia exploits security apparatuses to suppress opposition rather than protect citizens.
Yemenat
13 hours ago
- General
- Yemenat
From My Diary in America .. My Friend Al Harazi
Hunger suddenly descended upon my body, ambushing me like a predator lying in wait. My legs felt weak, on the verge of collapsing under my own weight. I was dripping with sweat, my hands trembling, losing control of their steadiness. My entire body seemed ready to crumble into a heap of debris. There was no restaurant nearby. My feet could no longer carry me to the nearest eatery, which felt distant and out of reach. I stumbled into a nearby grocery store, my steps unsteady, as if I were trying to explore something in a hurry. I approached a foreign worker in the store who was stuffing pastries with various fillings, names of which I couldn't recall in English, and some I didn't even know in Arabic. I attempted to communicate with him, but we were lost in translation. * * * I tried to find a translation app, hoping it might rescue me from my predicament. My trembling hands felt uncooperative, and my mind seemed to fade away. I felt lost, unable to concentrate, struggling to piece together my scattered thoughts, filled with confusion and uncertainty. With what little strength I had left, I tried to withdraw, dragging my weary steps toward the door when suddenly, the store owner called out to me, asking, 'Where are you from?' My face lit up when I heard him speaking Arabic, and I replied, 'I'm Yemeni.' I then asked, 'And where are you from? He answered, 'From Haraz.' In that moment, I felt a door of joy open and envelop me with warmth. * * * I ate a piece of chocolate and felt a wave of refreshment and balance wash over me, as if I had narrowly escaped a crisis. My health was improving. We started chatting, and I sensed he recognized me, but that didn't stop me from asking: Do you know me from before? He replied, 'No.' Then I asked, 'Do you know Majed Zayed?' He answered, 'No.' I realized that this man had been away for a long time. I then asked, 'Do you know Abdu Bashr?' He said, 'Yes, but only a limited acquaintance. We had a few brief meetings a long time ago,' without hiding his admiration for the man, emphasizing it with the word 'Tahtouh' which means 'a shrewd man'. I felt an unusual warmth and familiarity from his kindness towards me, as if I had known him for a long time. His face was friendly, his love abundant, and his kindness overwhelming. He asked the worker in English to prepare something more than what I wanted, with generous hospitality. * * * When I asked Al Harazi about the cost of what I had taken, he refused and insisted he wouldn't take a single cent. I thought this would be a one-time occurrence, something that sometimes happens here, especially if you're a Yemeni newcomer to America. In the area where I live, which some call 'Little Yemen,' there are over fifty thousand Yemenis. There are some grocery stores, restaurants, and retail shops owned by Yemenis; even their names are in Arabic on the signs. There is also a street named after Ibrahim Al-Hamdi, and you can find some Yemeni products in larger grocery stores, like Shamlan water and Abu Wald biscuits. On the second day, the same scene repeated itself, with added details. When I asked him about the amount, he swore again that I wouldn't pay a single cent. I introduced myself as a member of the Yemeni Parliament to convey that I was capable, even though the reality was quite the opposite. Yet, I felt he understood my nature better than I did. He persistently urged me to have coffee, water, or any drink with the sandwich pastry, while I refused with a painful pride, claiming that I had everything I needed. With the repetition and the embarrassment overwhelming me, I felt as if I were standing naked before him. Since he had memorized my situation and traits, he too felt shy and made sure not to hurt my feelings. More than once, I sensed he was even more embarrassed than I was, but it was difficult for me to interrupt him because I felt an unusual warmth towards him. I told him, 'You know me well. You know my details without even telling me.' He would respond that he didn't know anything about me and had never heard my name before. The man was successful in sinking me deeper into my confusion. I said, 'Please, I want to be your customer. If you continue like this, you'll cut me off, and I won't see you again, which saddens me. This happened to me with a generous grocery owner down the street, and I had to leave him, and I don't want that to happen here again.' However, Al Harazi immediately raised his hand, warning me that if he saw me in the street, he wouldn't say 'peace be upon you.' To soften the situation, he would sell to me at half price or even more sometimes, justifying it with 'my capital without loss.' I felt he did this to ease my spirit and lessen the weight of my embarrassment. I accepted this arrangement and became his customer, starting to eat two meals a day instead of one—one from him and another from a nearby restaurant. I found myself exhausted by my shyness, grappling with the challenge I faced, and burdened by a miserable situation. Meanwhile, a petty official in Sana'a accused me of being a secret agent, and an inflated figure in the 'legitimacy' mocked me without knowing the hardships I was enduring and the existential struggle I faced between compounded illness, financial strain, and the relentless misery of filthy pens digging their rusty blades into my weary body.
Saba Yemen
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Hajjah… Women's organization holds seminars commemorating Prophet's Migration
Hajjah - Saba: The Women's Cultural Organization in Hajjah province organized on Friday cultural seminars commemorating the anniversary of the Prophet's Migration (Hijra), along with rallies celebrating Iran's victory and affirming steadfastness with Gaza. The seminars were held in Al-Mahabisha, Hajr, Bani Maje'a (Al-Mahabisha), Wadi Makhar (Ku'aydinah), Janib Al-Yaman, Janib Al-Sham (Al-Shahil), Abu Duwar (Mastaba), Beit Al-'Aroudi, Bani Majmal, Al-Masajid, Al-Qaza'a, Bani Al-Shammakh (Al-Maftah), Bani Ka'b, and Afsar (Kuhlan Ash-Sharaf). The discussions addressed the state of the Ummah before and after the Prophet's Migration, the role of the Ansar (Supporters) in aiding the Islamic faith and the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the significance of this occasion deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Yemeni people and their honorable faith-based history—inherited from their great ancestors, the Ansar of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)—and their present glorious commitment to the Quranic path, being its foremost bearers. The anniversary of the Prophet's Migration (peace be upon him and his family) was described as a spiritual milestone to strengthen connection with the Noble Messenger, adhere to his righteous path, and follow the example of the Ansar in supporting truth and the oppressed while confronting the forces of polytheism and misguidance. Additionally, rallies were held in Al-Mahabisha, Hajr, Bani Maje'a (Al-Mahabisha), Washha, Janib Al-Yaman, Janib Al-Sham (Al-Shahil), Abu Duwar (Mastaba), Beit Al-'Aroudi, Bani Majmal, Al-Masajid, Al-Qaza'a, Bani Al-Shammakh (Al-Maftah), Bani Ka'b, and Afsar (Kuhlan Ash-Sharaf) under the slogan: "Celebrating Iran's Victory… Steadfastness with Gaza Until Triumph." Participants in the rallies congratulated their brothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran—leadership and people—as well as its mujahideen in the army and the Revolutionary Guards for their great victory against the unjust Zionist-American aggression. They highlighted that the criminal and bloodthirsty Trump had set the goal of Iran's unconditional surrender, yet after facing devastating blows, he was forced to announce an unconditional halt to their aggression—following unprecedented losses inflicted upon the enemy entity, unmatched in its blood-stained history. A statement issued during the rallies described Iran's victory over the Zionist-American enemy as a fruit of reliance on Allah, obedience to Him in preparation and strong nation-building, and the choice of jihad and resistance—rejecting surrender, subjugation, normalization, and allegiance. This, the statement stressed, should serve as a hope, model, and example for other Arab and Islamic nations. It also affirmed continued steadfastness, resilience, and support for the oppressed in Gaza until the aggression is stopped—a religious, humanitarian, and moral duty—while condemning the Zionist entity's crimes in Gaza. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
