From School to Camp

Yemeni mp  

Ahmed Saif Hashed

The “Proletariat” school where I completed my secondary education, located on the Aden-Lahj road where I spent three years, has now become a camp for the Fifth Brigade, a newly established unit. This transformation carries a profound meaning for me. When a school turns into a camp or a prison, it signifies a serious failure in policies and the awareness of those in charge.

Here, the camp appears to be more important than the school, a fact evident in the differences in attention, food provisions, maintenance, renovations, and material support. This reflects a clear aspect of the political consciousness regarding the status of the camp in comparison to the school, which also includes a student dormitory.

The school we attended was far from ideal; it underwent no repairs or maintenance throughout our three years there. The contrast between the wretched state of the school and the well-equipped camp, which underwent complete renovations, was stark and striking. The camp became a place of pride, with newly established infrastructure that included all necessary means for military training in parachuting and assault, such as engineering obstacles, training grounds, and field training requirements. Competent officers of high ranks, tasked with training, were all affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

It’s worth noting that before this place became a camp, it was a school with several teachers, some of whom were also affiliated with the Popular Front. I remember the philosophy, Arabic, and biology teachers, along with a Lebanese teacher of Palestinian descent who taught various aspects of the Arabic language. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was the common thread between the school of the past and the camp where we train today. Their competence, ethics, and professionalism distinguished them all.

This training course introduced me to new and significant knowledge that I had long wished for. The instructors were skilled and professional, carrying a unique awareness and maturity that earned our respect and admiration. We put in considerable effort to gain their approval through hard work, learning, and discipline.

I grew fond of these trainers, and through them, I developed an affinity for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and its leader, “George Habash,” whom they referred to as “the Wise.” My gratitude towards this front, which was present in our school and equally so in this unprecedented military course, is immense.

I cherished the trainer Abu Ali, from whom I learned military knowledge previously unknown to the Yemeni army. His lessons were new, unique, and filled with wonder and astonishment. I found myself asking more questions than I could count, while he provided detailed answers, enriching our military knowledge day by day. He regarded me as his star pupil, or at least that was my impression.

I also admired trainer Abu Firas, who conducted intense field training involving combat, running, overcoming fires, and navigating engineering obstacles. Simultaneously, I followed the policies of the Popular Front, growing to appreciate it more than other Palestinian factions, perhaps because it deserved such affection, or because of the people I met through it. However, I always held great admiration and respect for its wise leader, George Habash.

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