Yemenis Say ‘Don’t Forget About Us’ During World Cup 2022

Date: 26 November 2022 - 21:16

News ID: ۱۰۹۴۱۹

RIYADH (Middle East Eye) – Saudi Arabia staged one of the biggest upsets in football history when they beat Lionel Messi’s star-studded Argentina at the Qatar World Cup last week.
The Falcons ended La Albiceleste (the Blue and White’s) 36-match unbeaten streak in stunning fashion after two goals in quick succession from Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari cancelled out Messi’s opener in the first-half.
When the referee blew the final whistle, there were jubilant scenes in the stands. The atmosphere was electric.
The nationalist song Long Live Salman - a reference to King Salman - was blasted out on repeat as the Saudis, some of whom were dressed in traditional robes, wrapped themselves in the national flag and performed the ardah dance.
Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, joined in the festivities, and at one point wrapped a Saudi flag over his shoulders.
That moment would have been unthinkable nearly two years ago when Saudi Arabia and three other Arab nations boycotted Qatar as part of a political dispute.
Outside the stadium, honking cars formed impromptu parades as passers-by joined in the festivities with chants and cheers.
It seemed in that moment, all was forgiven. All was forgotten.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia joined Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in cutting ties with Qatar and imposed a blockade on its neighbor over allegations that it supported “terrorism”.
Doha denied the charges and said the boycott was aimed at curtailing its independence.
Qatar incurred heavy financial losses as a result of the blockade - estimated at around $43bn - with restrictions on movement splitting familial ties which went back centuries.
While the Qatar embargo ended early last year - and the parties have restored full diplomatic and economic ties - Yemenis say they hope the international community won’t forget about their plight as Saudi Arabia has put a chokehold on the impoverished nation.
“What the Saudi team has achieved in Qatar is truly remarkable, but why has the international community forgotten that Yemenis are still in the midst of war?,” said Arwah al-Mutawakkil, a resident in the Yemeni capital city, Sana’a.
“We hope the world celebrates the football but doesn’t forget about us.”
For more than seven years, western powers have supported the Saudi-led coalition in its war against Yemen, selling a vast array of weapons to the kingdom and providing the coalition with intelligence, military advice, and logistical support.
The UN estimates that over the past seven years, direct Saudi-led war, hunger, and disease have led to the deaths of more than 377,000 people.
Anti-Saudi sentiment has grown amongst most Yemenis in recent years.