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Source: Getty

Commentary
Diwan

An Island of Stability?

Though it is a front line in the battle against the Houthis, Marib city is bustling.

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By Ahmed Nagi
Published on Aug 1, 2019
Diwan

Blog

Diwan

Diwan, a blog from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Middle East Program and the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, draws on Carnegie scholars to provide insight into and analysis of the region. 

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At the Carnegie website, Ahmed Nagi has published the first of a series of photo essays on his recent trip to Yemen—in this case on the city and governorate of Marib. Controlled by foes of the Houthis, Marib is a front line in the battle against the group and has attracted many who have been harmed by Houthi policies. Though Marib has been transformed by the influx of people, becoming a bustling city, the peace there appears fragile to Nagi. He concludes, “Perhaps it is the common resilience of the people that sets the city apart. Even so, no one can anticipate whether Marib will remain a stable exception or turn into another example of failed governance. It is certainly a place to watch, with potential lessons for other parts of Yemen.”

About the Author

Ahmed Nagi

Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group

Ahmed Nagi is a senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group.

    Recent Work

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Ahmed Nagi
Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group
Ahmed Nagi
Political ReformGulfYemenMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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