Between her longing and the face of her husband, there is a mine and a slow death

By: Bushara Al-Hamidi

The dream of a young married woman ended in an instant—just when she set out to check on her life partner. Little did she know it would be a sin. But the question of whether it was or wasn’t no longer mattered, and the answer would be of no use now—her soul had already ascended to heaven.

She was Rabab Qaid, 25 years old, from the village of Al-Saidia in the Al-Khokha district of Al-Hodeidah Governorate. Since 2008, she had been married to Naji Muhammad Suleiman Massas, a detainee and community activist.

On the morning of Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Rabab’s husband was kidnapped by men affiliated with the Houthi-run Political Security Organization while engaged in humanitarian work.

Naji recounts:
“That morning, I received a call from an acquaintance telling me that a businessman had donated 90 food baskets to be distributed to IDPs in Mocha. I had to travel from Saidia village to the city of Hais. When I reached the location, I called the man again. He told me he was in the market. As soon as I hung up, a car pulled up next to me. The men inside told me to get in. They took my phone and said they were from the Political Security and had orders to arrest me. They then took me to Hodeidah.”

Naji spent around 50 days in detention in Hodeidah before being transferred to another facility in Sana’a Governorate, while Rabab tirelessly searched for him. She spent much of her savings trying to uncover his fate—but to no avail.

After nearly 11 months, Naji was allowed to call Rabab, though he was forbidden from disclosing his location. Still, she knew he was alive and imprisoned.

Naji adds:
“Two months after that first call, I was allowed another five-minute conversation. Rabab asked if she could visit, and I told her visits were permitted. But because of the distance and how hard the journey would be, I told her not to come.”

Despite his concerns, Rabab was determined to see her husband. She was ready to endure the hardships of the journey for the chance to look into his eyes once more. It was a duty she took on with love.

She prepared for the journey, baking cakes and cookies. On the morning of July 24, 2018, she left her home in Saidia accompanied by her cousin—who was also her sister’s husband—Muhammad Hanbalah (30 years old) and her nephew Maeen Muhammad.

Joy filled Rabab’s heart as she imagined the reunion after a year of painful separation. She couldn’t foresee the cruel fate that awaited her.

After passing the city of Hais and reaching Wadi Dhami Bridge, just five kilometers further, their journey met tragedy. A landmine, planted by Houthi forces, exploded beneath them. Muhammad died instantly, and Maeen was injured—he was taken by the Houthis nearby. A passerby who recognized Rabab contacted the Houthis, informing them he knew her father.

The Houthis called Rabab’s father, Qaid Muhammad Ahmed Massas al-Bishri, who came to her aid. However, they refused to let her be transferred to the nearby city of Hais or to Al-Khokha, as both were under the control of the legitimate government.

Instead, Rabab was taken on a long, bumpy journey to Al-Qaeda city in Ibb Governorate, and then to Sana’a. Severely wounded, she bled heavily throughout the trip. After five days of suffering in a hospital in Sana’a, she succumbed to her injuries.

Naji waited eagerly for his wife, unaware of what had happened. The prison authorities only allowed calls sporadically and under their strict conditions.

A month after Rabab’s death, Naji finally got a chance to make a phone call. He dialed her number—no answer. Then he called her father’s phone—also off.

“I remembered my neighbor’s number,” Naji says. “He told me everything. I got her parents’ new phone numbers from him, because the previous one had been taken by the Houthis. I called to offer my condolences and share their grief.”

Naji remained in detention until October 16, 2020, when he was released as part of a prisoner swap between the legitimate government and the Houthis, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Before she died, Rabab sent Naji a final message through her brother:

“If you are lucky enough to visit Naji, kiss him twice on the cheek and tell him to marry and to paint for himself the most beautiful moments of life—for tomorrow still holds a lot for him.”

It was as if she were speaking directly to him, saying:

“You are not in a state of collapse. On the contrary, you are at the beginning of life. The future is wide open before you. These ordeals forge great men—like you.”