July 17, 1978, marks a pivotal moment in modern Yemeni history, representing a day the Republic emerged from its most perilous juncture since the September 26th Revolution, successfully asserting state authority against widespread chaos. At that time, Yemen stood on the precipice of the unknown. Political assassinations plagued the nation's leadership, institutions teetered on the brink of collapse, and tribal divisions, armed factions, and internal strife threatened the Republic's very existence. Yemeni citizens yearned for security above development and for the survival of the state before any discussion of prosperity. It was in this critical historical context that July 17th provided Yemen with a new opportunity to regain its equilibrium, as President Ali Abdullah Saleh assumed leadership under exceedingly complex circumstances. The task was arduous, and the state's foundations were incomplete. However, the subsequent period succeeded in consolidating the pillars of the republican system and establishing a degree of political and security stability that enabled Yemen to transition from a phase of mere survival to one of construction. The prestige of the state became the hallmark of that era. Its institutions expanded across various governorates, road networks connecting cities and villages grew, schools, universities, and hospitals proliferated, and electricity and telecommunications reached areas that had been isolated for decades. These achievements were not merely statistics in reports but represented tangible transformations in the lives of millions of Yemenis. The greatest national accomplishment remains the achievement of Yemeni unity on May 22, 1990, a long-held dream that transformed into a political and geographical reality, restoring Yemen's standing and unity. Today, after years of war and division, a comparison between the past and present is more pertinent than ever. Those who disagreed with the policies of that era now understand that the existence of a state, regardless of individual observations, is preferable to its absence, and that security, however commonplace it may seem, is the greatest blessing when lost. Yemen has paid a heavy price for the collapse of its institutions. The economy has faltered, salaries have ceased in vast regions, basic services have disintegrated, humanitarian crises have proliferated, and millions of Yemenis now endure harsh conditions unknown in their modern history. Amidst this reality, many recall the years of stability, not because they were ideal, but because they represented the presence of a state capable of fulfilling its essential functions. Commemorating July 17th should not serve as an occasion to revive political division but rather as an opportunity to draw lessons. The most significant of these lessons is that building a state is far more challenging than dismantling it, and that security and stability are not perpetual gifts but the result of responsible leadership, effective institutions, and a national will that prioritizes Yemen's interests above all else. New generations born into wartime deserve to know that Yemen once had a state that, despite the challenges and shortcomings it faced, was capable of maintaining security, managing institutions, undertaking development projects, and preserving national unity. They also deserve to believe that the future is not built on a culture of retribution and division but on reviving the concept of an inclusive state where all are equal under the law. July 17th will remain etched in the national memory as a day that altered Yemen's trajectory at a moment when the state itself was on the verge of collapse. While political interpretations of that era may vary, the undeniable truth is that Yemen experienced years of security, stability, and institutional building—values that Yemenis aspire to today more than ever before. May God have mercy on the departed state leaders, protect Yemen and its people, and grant its future greater security, justice, and stability, so that the Republic may once again become a strong nation governed by law, where its citizens live in peace and harmony. |
