Yemen’s Sanaa Faces War, Poverty, and Repression

News Desk

SANAA: Residents of Yemen’s ancient capital, Sanaa, endure severe hardships as war, poverty, and repression persist under Houthi control, which has lasted for over a decade.

The city, seized by the Houthi movement in 2014, has become a focal point of a brutal civil war that has plunged one of the world’s poorest nations into deeper despair.

Many locals reminisce about the pre-war era, longing for a time of relative stability and economic prosperity.

Ammar, a 24-year-old university student who requested anonymity for safety reasons, shared his frustrations with AFP, stating, “Before the war, salaries were paid in full on a regular basis.”

He highlighted the current dire situation where his father, a civil servant, receives only half of his monthly salary every three months, while his mother, a teacher, receives half of her salary each month.

The Old City of Sanaa, a UNESCO World Heritage site with structures dating back nearly a millennium, remains vibrant with vendors selling grains and spices.

However, the bustling market atmosphere contrasts sharply with the grim realities faced by its inhabitants, who struggle to meet basic needs amid ongoing conflict and economic instability.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international organizations continue to call for urgent assistance and a resolution to the conflict.

The situation in Sanaa serves as a stark reminder of the broader implications of the civil war, affecting not only the local population but also regional stability and international relations.