Yasin Said Numan, Yemen’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, stated that the wave of assassinations following Yemen’s unification in 1990 played a major role in weakening the national project and driving the country into prolonged instability.

Historical perspective and warnings

In a statement, Numan recalled the aftermath of the assassination of Majid Murshid, revealing details of a meeting he held with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh at the presidential palace.

He noted that Yemeni society was gripped by anxiety at the time and warned that failure to address assassinations responsibly could lead the country into chaos, despite hopes that unity would bring stability.

A blow to the unity project

Numan emphasized that targeting political figures—especially those from southern Yemen—dealt a severe blow to the unity project and eroded public trust, reshaping political life around conflict and violence.

Long-lasting consequences

He added that this period weakened the country’s political judgment and contributed to ongoing instability, with its repercussions still affecting efforts to resolve Yemen’s crisis today.

Numan concluded by stressing that assassinations are a destructive practice that only deepens collapse, calling for a reassessment of that historical phase to avoid repeating past mistakes.