Gaza conflict is making life more dangerous for Christians in Yemen

The tiny Christian community in Yemen is already suffering greatly for its faith however the situation is rapidly worsening after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Open Doors has warned. 

Samuel, a convert who fled Yemen 20 years ago, said that Christians are being made scapegoats for the anger felt by Yemeni Houthi leaders concerning the Gaza conflict. 

Houthis have been within the news recently due to attacks on industrial ships within the Red Sea. The Houthis have said they’re targeting ships which can be heading to Israel or have an Israeli connection. 

“With the international situation with Israel, life for Christians in Yemen will change into a lot harder,” said Samuel. 

“It means that individuals will support the Houthis as heroes. People will tell Houthis who the Christians are to make them pleased. Then they are going to begin to punish the Christians to make the people pleased.

“For them it should be about defending their faith. They will work together against the Christian faith.

“There is a variety of communication between the sitting government and the Houthi authorities to share what they learn about Christians.”

Yemen is ranked number five on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians suffer most for his or her faith.

Christians in Yemen are forced to practise their faith in secret and sadly a number of the persecution is even by their very own relations.

Samuel left the country after he suffered intense persecution following his conversion to Christianity. He received many death threats and even his own father wanted him to be executed. 

He said he knew of 1 convert in Yemen who was held prisoner by his father, who later killed him. 

“There isn’t any technique to be open together with your faith as a Christian within the country,” said Samuel. 

“Your life is in danger. You may very well be killed. People coming to faith in Yemen understand thoroughly you can lose anything and every little thing.

“It may be very, very dangerous. People die for Christ. It might be on the hand of your loved ones, your neighbours or the police.”