In mid-April 2024, a video posted on social media in Yemen depicting a girl seated next to a young man in a car's front seat, which is designated for one person, sparked outrage and condemnation among many social media users. Many perceived it as a transgression against societal norms and religious values, deeming it offensive to modesty. Within a few hours, this video clip evolved into a significant public opinion issue, being discussed by everyone.
As a result, the girl and the young man faced a barrage of vitriolic comments and insults, escalating to the point of inciting violence against their lives. Despite the innocence of the video, which captured natural, everyday moments, not warranting such excessive outrage and anger, it was revealed the next day that the video had been leaked and clarified that those in the car were actually members of the same family, and the girl seated next to her brother due to the cramped space in the car. However, many did not believe this explanation and continued to incite against them. Surprisingly, the authorities in Sana'a responded to these voices, and instead of protecting their privacy, they arrested and detained them, following a campaign on social media by some individuals under the hashtag #Haram_Manaskut (we will not keep silent).
Upon tracking the hashtag that was shared and circulated following the video leak, it became evident that prominent figures with large followers on social media platforms were behind it. These figures have a good relationship with the authorities in Sana'a and are actively involved in justifying and promoting all of their violations. In addition to these figures, there are accounts belonging to security and leadership figures within the Ansar Allah group (the Houthi).
Likewise, the accompanying posts contained explicit incitements against numerous individuals due to their opinions and personal photos, which were classified as dishonorable, according to the published content. Furthermore, the situation extended beyond mere defamation and incitement against others; most of the posts demanded that authorities apprehend and imprison these individuals simply because they expressed their opinions and shared their personal photos.
“Despite the multitude of issues threatening the security and lives of Yemeni citizens across various domains, those raised on social media platforms are far removed from them. Instead, issues affecting women or violating individuals' personal freedoms have become the primary focus, sparking widespread debates among social media users.”
In this context, technology expert Mohammed Ghalib, in his interview with "Khuyut," confirms that the release of the video was linked to the campaign against the girl and the young man. He emphasizes that the campaign was organized systematically and not spontaneously. Additionally, he notes the significant interaction from numerous fake accounts, indicating premeditated planning for the campaign. Mohammed Ghalib connects the activity of these accounts to the manipulation of public opinion and the dissemination of issues that preoccupy citizens.
Society's Descent into Barbarity
Only a few days have elapsed since the case of the girl and the young man, yet public opinion has been reignited through a targeted campaign against the singer Hussein Moheb. Similarly, the majority of criticism directed at Moheb focused on his personality. Thus, public opinion persists in periodically stirring marginal issues.
Actually, this is not the first time that personal issues have been stirred up on social media platforms, leading to the defamation of individuals for personal reasons and transforming them into matters of public opinion. Rather, many instances have preceded this one, as the public sphere has become a fertile ground for defamation and incitement against others. Strangely, these issues have now significantly become captured public attention, sparking widespread debate and controversy within society, thereby exacerbating tension, violence, and incitement among various groups.
Besides, the ongoing war in Yemen since September 2014, along with the political inclinations of authorities and extremist groups, have contributed to the spread of violence. Society is currently grappling with numerous conflicts and disturbances, many of which permeate deeply into households. In recent years, there has been an escalation of violence in various forms, notably what is disseminated in media outlets and on social media platforms, some of which are real events and others are fabricated. The majority of these issues revolve around women and the personal and religious freedoms of individuals, under the guise of honor, shame, and preserving religious identity and Yemeni traditions, among others. These issues are predominantly marketed by warlords and armed groups, especially the Houthis. Apparently, the purpose behind this is to divert public attention from more important and significant issues, including the citizens' rights that have been deprived and usurped for about ten years.
Oppressed Human
Following the adage "divide and conquer," those who benefit from the prevailing societal conflict continue to support and exacerbate it significantly. Some influential figures adopt this approach in their statements and publications, further exacerbating the division and brutality. Thus, the pertinent question remains: How did society drift into these conflicts, and how did it reach this level of violence and aggression among its members?
In this matter, Lebanese thinker Mustafa Hijazi, in his book "The Psychology of the Oppressed Human," presents the culmination of in-depth research into the societal turmoils experienced by the Arab community in general and the Lebanese in particular. He offers a set of reasons that may explain and address this question. He asserts that "the oppressed human succumbs to the powers that dominate him, enduring the degradation, humiliation, and subordination imposed on him, which he then imposes on his wife, female family members, and subordinates." From this perspective, one can interpret the ongoing conflict on social media platforms in Yemen, Yemeni families, and society in general as a result of the oppression and injustice that the individuals have been subjected to by the authorities for years, which they are unable to confront, leading them to vent their anger on the simplest of matters.
Hijazi believes that the oppressed individual lives in a state of internal conflict due to the oppression imposed upon him. He constantly fears the exposure of his plight, misery, and helplessness. Consequently, he perpetually seeks concealment, fearing disgrace and his inability to endure. He strongly clings to outward appearances that serve as a shield for his internal misery, haunted by the fear of poverty, helplessness, and shame. The shame falls on women, as they are seen as the ones who could bring disgrace to him, considering them the source of his honor. Given their perceived vulnerability within society, the oppressed individual exercises his deprived authority over them, the women.
The concept of shame constitutes a fundamental dilemma experienced by the oppressed individual. Within contemporary Yemeni society, we find a significant glorification and emphasis on terms related to masculinity, shame, and honor. This is an inevitable consequence for any society that suffers from oppression, poverty, and misery, as it compensates for its deficiencies and deprivation of a dignified life and rights through these resonant slogans.
Selecting the Issues
Despite the multitude of issues threatening the security and lives of Yemeni citizens across various domains, those raised on social media platforms are far removed from them. Instead, issues affecting women or violating individuals' personal freedoms have become the primary focus, sparking widespread debate among social media users.
Likewise, it is notable that these issues, which are occasionally raised from time to time, are selectively highlighted while others are overlooked, even if they are similar in nature. For instance, the arrest of women and their restriction from traveling and every violation they endure do not elicit the same level of reaction, despite being matters concerning honor and dignity, which those who engage with other issues often invoke. Conversely, the mental image of torture, murder, violence, and oppression perpetrated by authorities in detention centers and prisons has led individuals to avoid dealing with or engaging in those issues. This is because they remind them of the war and the pain from which they are trying to escape, as stated by Murad Al-Hakami, a researcher and specialist in psychological sociology.
Al-Hakami, speaking to "Khuyut," indicates that the armed Houthi group has adopted a discourse to combat moral corruption since seizing control of Sana'a. They disseminated it through mosque pulpits, universities, conferences, and their own events. This discourse has contributed to some individuals excessively interfering in others' privacy and inciting against them. The overlooking of such harmful and abusive practices by official authorities pushed everyone to assume the role of moral preachers towards others unjustly.
