The Following piece is written by a Yemeni-based journalist who writes for Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and, due to serious security concerns, remains anonymous.
Ahmed Mansoor is one amongst the thousands of young men to have been injured while protesting against the abhorred regime.
However, if his tale is sadly similar to that of many, his bravery and fierce determination have turned him into a modern hero. This ordinary man has captured the imagination of his fellow protesters to such an extent that all agree that he is the embodiment of the Revolution.
The Tragedy
On a tragic Tuesday, at the height of the government crackdown upon protesters, Ahmed Mansoor will fall 3 times and rise 3 times before a last injury will almost claim his life.
Just as tear gas canisters were hurled at the crowds, Ahmed along some other brave souls was using his body as a shield for those behind. Armed only with his bravery, this young man kept returning to the front line despite his injuries.
It is upon his last attempt to push back the Security Forces that he was hit by a bullet on his right hand. The impact was so violent that his hand almost got blown away. Against his will, his friends were carrying back to the makeshift hospital when further bullets reached him, hitting him on the back. Ahmed’s spinal cord was instantly severed. He is now in desperate need of surgery…sadly he would have to be flown to a neighboring country if indeed surgery is to take place.
A Life Interrupted
About 2 months before the uprising started, Ahmed Mansoor had eventually landed a job in one of the major Bank of the Capital. Just as he was able to extract his family from the depth of poverty, and give them hope of a better tomorrow, the Revolution started.
Immediately, Ahmed felt that it was his duty as Yemeni to march with those who were fighting for Justice. Every day, for more than 2 months, he would come after work to the university ground and protest alongside the revolutionaries.
The 21 year-old had just gotten engaged when he was struck by Saleh Security Forces. Just as his life was taking shape, he was robbed of his bright future; maybe forever shattering his hope of having a family of his own.
Message of Courage
Despite his horrific injuries, Ahmed is urging on those at the University to carry on the fight, no matter the sacrifices. As some friends are taking shifts at his side, he confessed that he felt guilty for being so “useless” to them now. This is nationalism at its best; too concern with the future of his beloved Yemen, Ahmed does not even take the time to contemplate his own pain.
For a man who will most certainly spend the remainder of his days in a wheel chair, paralyzed from the neck down, it is quite a remarkable show of selflessness. It is men such as Ahmed who are reminding us that Freedom and Democracy are principle worth fighting for…
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