September 21 Revolution: The Collapse of a Corrupt Government and the Rise of a Powerful Yemen

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Today, September 21, marks a turning point in the contemporary history of West Asia and the anniversary of the victory of the Yemeni people’s revolution; a revolution that shattered the rotten structures of dependency and marked a new chapter in the country’s political independence.

From the Illusion of Reconstruction to the Reality of Crisis

To understand the significance of September 21, 2014, one must go back to 2011. After the Yemeni people’s uprising against Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who served as his successor from 1997 to 2011, took over the presidency with the support of major parties such as the General People's Congress and the Islah Party. His promise was to rebuild the army and hold national dialogue to determine the type of government. But what actually happened was the continuation of inefficiency and inability to resolve deep-rooted crises, especially in Saada and the southern regions. Hadi’s political behavior and his government’s inability to respond to national demands deepened the gap between the people and the government, to the point where Ansar Allah and the General People's Congress Party finally revolted against the status quo and took control of the capital on September 21, 2014. This uprising led to the dissolution of the National Accord Government, the signing of the National Peace and Cooperation Agreement, and ultimately the formation of the “National Salvation Government,” which was the beginning of the end of foreign influence in Sanaa’s decision-making.

Yemen, which before 2014 was known as Riyadh’s backyard and did not have an independent vote in its major policymaking, took steps towards restoring national dignity with this popular movement. What we witness today as a powerful Yemen in regional equations is a direct result of that revolutionary insight.

Achievements: From Taiz to Bab al-Mandab

Today, ten years after that historic day, Yemen is no longer the protectorate it once was, and its geopolitical weight in the region has changed dramatically. By thwarting the plots of the Saudi-Emirati coalition, the Yemenis have managed to consolidate their power in difficult and strategic areas such as Taiz province, a vital gateway to Sanaa. Furthermore, operational control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea has made Yemen the most decisive player in the world’s energy corridors. Today, no naval power can guarantee the security of the waters overlooking Yemen without taking into account the will of Sanaa.

Relying on domestic capabilities, Ansar Allah has transformed from a militia into a well-equipped army that has neutralized the enemy’s air superiority with an arsenal of precision-guided ballistic missiles and drones.

The September 21 revolution proved that Resistance is not a tactical choice, but rather Yemen’s strategic strategy for survival and progress. Today, Yemen stands in a position that not only responds to security threats, but also, as one of the main sides of the “axis of resistance,” is the vanguard in the field in support of the Palestinian cause.

Today’s Yemen, with the support of the 2014 revolution and the transition from the period of ineffective governments, has reached strategic maturity and has changed the balance of power in West Asia in favor of popular movements; a fact that proves that the will of a believing nation triumphs over any conspiracy.