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Forever Yemen: alluring beauty in the midst of war

Published April 26th, 2015 - 05:32 GMT

Google search ‘Yemen’ today, and you’ll get an onslaught of news agency shots of young Yemenis surrounded by the smoking piles of their destroyed homes, or gut-wrenching images of screaming toddlers held by bloodied grandparents, taken moments after a suicide attack.

Last month, Saudi began airstrikes in Yemen, intensifying an already-catastrophic siege by Shiite Houthi rebels unfolding on the ground since last September. Now it’s hard to think of anything besides the devastation.

It’s easy to forget Yemen’s cultural richness and natural beauty. This nation boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Socotra archipelago - considered a jewel of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea. The capital Sanaa houses a spectacular mosque that dates back to the days of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself.

We bring to you spectacular images of Yemen's striking ‘scapes, extreme beauty found in its natural settings and urban life recently published by Mashable. Take a step back from the news and check out a side of Yemen you won’t find trending on Google right now.

 

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Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

The Yemeni coastline is about 2000 km long and skirts the Red Sea, the Bab El Mandab Straits, and the Gulf of Aden. Its marine environment boasts over 130 species of sea coral, but contrary to the plot of the 2011 film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, there’s not much salmon fishing on offer.(Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)

East Yemen’s Do’an Valley

The mountains and wadis of East Yemen’s Do’an Valley burst with ecological diversity and archeological sites that distinguish it from the rest of Yemen and Arab Peninsula. The million-year-old Al-Quza cave and Raybun oasis (with canyons, springs, pools and ancient monuments) were discovered in 1983. (Image: Nick Ledger/AWL Images/Corbis)

Old Town Sanaa

Sanaa sits 2,200 m above sea level in a mountain valley. Inhabited for 2,500 years, its Old Town was the epicenter for the propagation of Islam in the 7th and 8th centuries. It has 103 mosques, 14 hamams and over 6,000 houses, all built before the 11th century, and a vibrant market. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)

Republic of Yemen

The ancient town of Jebal Shugruf blends in with its craggy surroundings. This central region of the Republic of Yemen features many of these fortified towns, built like castles on mountain peaks. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Yemen’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites include Socotra Archipelago, historic Zabid town, the walled city Shibam, and Sanaa’s old city where you can stroll its labyrinth of narrow streets, shop in the sprawling market where kat-chewing shopkeepers smile and beckon you in. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)

Socotra Island

Socotra Island is one of the planet’s most other-worldly places perhaps best known for its ethereal Dragons Trees – umbrella-like plants that bleed red sap when cut - here seen atop the Dixam Plateau. Over 700 species of flora and fauna are endemic to the islands. (Image: Nick Ledger/AWL Images/Corbis)

Red Sea

The Haraz Mountains are a hiker’s heaven, some treks take a day and others a week. The majestic landscape holds fortified villages built on high peaks, the western mountains descend to the Red Sea. This village is in the Manakhah District. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

Prophet Mohammad

The Grand Mosque in capital city Sanaa was built during the life of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the 7th century AD. It is the world’s third earliest mosque, preceded only by the Qa’ba Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

Al-Saleh Mosque

At 27,300 square meters, Al-Saleh Mosque (above) is Sanaa’s largest and most modern mosque, opened in 2008 and named in honor of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. It was built at a cost of $60 million USD, and several worker fatalities. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

bottle trees

The bulbous Bottle Tree is a symbol of Socotra, growing nowhere else on earth. They live up to their name with thickened bases and narrow necks fringed with fleshy leaves and seasonal flowers. Masters of survival in a dry climate, they are also called Cucumber Trees.(Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)

women's rights in Yemen

The World Bank says 25% of Yemeni women are employed, mostly in agriculture. They have little access to healthcare, jobs and education; early marriage is prevalent. National poverty also aggravates their difficult situation, but window-shopping at Sanaa’s gold market is free. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)

mud-brick architecture

Sana'a is the capital of the Republic of Yemen with a population nearing two million. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world - and geographically, one of the highest capitals - it is famed for its unique mud-brick architecture decorated with bold geometric patterns. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
East Yemen’s Do’an Valley
Old Town Sanaa
Republic of Yemen
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Socotra Island
Red Sea
Prophet Mohammad
Al-Saleh Mosque
bottle trees
women's rights in Yemen
mud-brick architecture
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
The Yemeni coastline is about 2000 km long and skirts the Red Sea, the Bab El Mandab Straits, and the Gulf of Aden. Its marine environment boasts over 130 species of sea coral, but contrary to the plot of the 2011 film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, there’s not much salmon fishing on offer.(Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
East Yemen’s Do’an Valley
The mountains and wadis of East Yemen’s Do’an Valley burst with ecological diversity and archeological sites that distinguish it from the rest of Yemen and Arab Peninsula. The million-year-old Al-Quza cave and Raybun oasis (with canyons, springs, pools and ancient monuments) were discovered in 1983. (Image: Nick Ledger/AWL Images/Corbis)
Old Town Sanaa
Sanaa sits 2,200 m above sea level in a mountain valley. Inhabited for 2,500 years, its Old Town was the epicenter for the propagation of Islam in the 7th and 8th centuries. It has 103 mosques, 14 hamams and over 6,000 houses, all built before the 11th century, and a vibrant market. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
Republic of Yemen
The ancient town of Jebal Shugruf blends in with its craggy surroundings. This central region of the Republic of Yemen features many of these fortified towns, built like castles on mountain peaks. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Yemen’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites include Socotra Archipelago, historic Zabid town, the walled city Shibam, and Sanaa’s old city where you can stroll its labyrinth of narrow streets, shop in the sprawling market where kat-chewing shopkeepers smile and beckon you in. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
Socotra Island
Socotra Island is one of the planet’s most other-worldly places perhaps best known for its ethereal Dragons Trees – umbrella-like plants that bleed red sap when cut - here seen atop the Dixam Plateau. Over 700 species of flora and fauna are endemic to the islands. (Image: Nick Ledger/AWL Images/Corbis)
Red Sea
The Haraz Mountains are a hiker’s heaven, some treks take a day and others a week. The majestic landscape holds fortified villages built on high peaks, the western mountains descend to the Red Sea. This village is in the Manakhah District. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)
Prophet Mohammad
The Grand Mosque in capital city Sanaa was built during the life of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the 7th century AD. It is the world’s third earliest mosque, preceded only by the Qa’ba Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)
Al-Saleh Mosque
At 27,300 square meters, Al-Saleh Mosque (above) is Sanaa’s largest and most modern mosque, opened in 2008 and named in honor of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. It was built at a cost of $60 million USD, and several worker fatalities. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)
bottle trees
The bulbous Bottle Tree is a symbol of Socotra, growing nowhere else on earth. They live up to their name with thickened bases and narrow necks fringed with fleshy leaves and seasonal flowers. Masters of survival in a dry climate, they are also called Cucumber Trees.(Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
women's rights in Yemen
The World Bank says 25% of Yemeni women are employed, mostly in agriculture. They have little access to healthcare, jobs and education; early marriage is prevalent. National poverty also aggravates their difficult situation, but window-shopping at Sanaa’s gold market is free. (Image: Michael Runkel/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
mud-brick architecture
Sana'a is the capital of the Republic of Yemen with a population nearing two million. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world - and geographically, one of the highest capitals - it is famed for its unique mud-brick architecture decorated with bold geometric patterns. (Image: Arne Hodalic/Corbis)

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