Hiking group discovers beauty, resilience in heart of Yemen's strife

Proceeding from an article posted by The Guardian, the challenges and rare opportunities within Yemen’s war-torn landscape are highlighted through the efforts of a unique group of hikers. 

On a warm spring afternoon in Haz, located 40 km northeast of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, a curious child asks Fatima al-Aghbari if her bag holds treasure. After all, Aghbari, a stranger to the area, has hiked for miles across rugged terrain to reach this rarely visited site, and it’s assumed she’s searching for artifacts among the village’s ancient ruins.

Like much of Yemen, the historic town of Haz, known for its pre-Islamic relics, has been caught in the grip of continuous conflicts for over a decade. An ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, combined with a volatile security environment, has severely diminished domestic tourism.

The sight of a group of outsiders trekking the seldom-used paths to Haz raises suspicions among locals, who assume the travelers are there to loot. After all, hiking is nearly unheard of in Yemen.

Aghbari laughs at the child’s question and opens her bag to reveal its simple contents: bread, cream cheese, and other essentials for the day’s hike.

While hiking is rare in Yemen, female hikers are even more exceptional. El-Masha'oon, the group Aghbari is part of, provides a rare opportunity for both men and women to engage in outdoor activities, connect with nature, and explore their war-torn country for free.

Founded three years ago by octogenarian Saeed al-Saruri, El-Masha'oon brings together dozens of members for weekly excursions across Yemen’s capital and countryside, exploring mountains, plains, valleys, and areas of historical and tourist significance.

The Yemeni writer Abdul Karim Alrazehi, a co-founder of the group, says: “Life is filled with beauty and wonderful things, but we must make an effort to uncover the beauty surrounding us.”

By Naila Huseynova