His plea for kindness was swallowed by the unknown
Many find themselves adrift in solitude when they lack a helping hand or a beacon of support in their time of need, and this is the very ordeal that has befallen the family of the missing young man, Abdu Salim Afeef Al-Jaeeri (36 years old), hailing from the marginalized strata of society, for the past five long years.
Ahmed Al-Jaeeri, the elder brother of Abdu Salim, unravels the heart-wrenching tale, narrating, "At the tender age of 31, my brother Abdu vanished into thin air in the year 2019. It was during that fateful year that the cloak of disappearance shrouded him. Abdu and I traversed the provinces bordering Dhammar, such as Al-Baidha and Ibb, in pursuit of livelihood. Ever since that momentous day and his subsequent disappearance, I have been unable to shake the mental chains tethering me to the Jahran district. I reproach myself for inadvertently letting my brother slip away as he entered the mosque, pondering if my presence could have altered the course of fate."
One of the paramount reasons that plunged the entire family into turmoil was the aftermath of my return from Qaifah (Rada'a district) following Abdu's mysterious vanishing act. Upon divulging the distressing news to the family, my mother was struck by a debilitating stroke that continues to afflict her to this day. My mental state spiraled into a dark abyss, rendering me unemployed and incapacitated, bereft of the ability to earn a livelihood."
The bereaved brother continues his poignant account, "On the auspicious day of March 1, 2019, a sweeping operation was conducted by Al-Qaeda and the Houthis in the Qaifah of the Rada'a district. We traversed through that treacherous terrain on that fateful day, with my brother Abdu venturing into the mosque to perform his prayers. I informed him of my intent to await his return beneath a solitary tree, seeking solace and respite from the scorching midday sun."
As I waited for him, I noticed the presence of Al-Qaeda units, seemingly praying inside the mosque. However, it never crossed my mind for a moment that they might take my brother, especially since he was a peaceful beggar. I believed they wouldn't harm him, so I didn't worry much about their presence.
After waiting for half an hour with no sign of him, I ventured out to search for him, but he was nowhere to be found - neither my brother nor the units. Seeking information, I approached the owner of a nearby grocery store, who disclosed that the units had departed fifteen minutes prior. Unaware of their whereabouts, I proceeded to the police station to seek assistance in locating my brother. Describing the situation to the authorities, they suggested that it was probable that Al-Qaeda operatives had apprehended him.
Unfortunately, I received no help; even those at the station said, "You can leave your details, name, and number, and we will contact you if we find your brother." I returned to Dhammar Governorate to my family, shattered and defeated. I waited for over 20 days after his disappearance, inquiring about him in numerous areas in Al-Baidha, but to no avail.
In the beginning of 2021, my brother appeared on "Al Masirah" channel affiliated with Ansar Allah (the Houthis) for a minute. His name was mentioned, stating that he was a captive among Al-Qaeda members, even though my brother had not participated in any wars; he was a beggar and a peaceful person.
Following that, my sister and I went to the city of Dhammar to meet a person named "Al-Mutawakil"; we did not know his full name, to ask if it was possible to release my brother, as he was a prisoner with Ansar Allah (the Houthis). Three years have passed since then without any progress. Nevertheless, our hope was restored when we saw that he was still alive. However, we do not rely much on anyone intervening to help us and bring him back to us.
We are a marginalized group that finds no one standing by our side. When I share with those who know what happened to my brother and realize that we are marginalized, they pay no attention to the matter. They see us as devoid of rights and do not care about what we are going through. Since my return to Dhammar Governorate, and after what happened to my brother and my helplessness in the face of his disappearance, I have started taking calming medications prescribed by a psychiatrist, feeling helpless and losing hope. My mother suffered a stroke since then.
In conclusion, disappeared may be physically absent, but their presence lingers in the hearts and minds of their families, a constant ache in their souls. Unraveling the unknown fate of these missing individuals offers a glimmer of hope and a sense of closure, a lifeline amid the sea of uncertainty. The current state of affairs is a poignant reminder of the human suffering inflicted by the indifference and neglect towards the struggles of the marginalized and oppressed, whose rights are perpetually disregarded and violated.
