Dubai: The launch of air strikes on Yemen has left residents in shock and the country in a state of chaos and confusion.
Residents in the capital, Sana’a, who claim that the bombings started just before midnight, described their night as “horrifying” as loud explosions left them shaking throughout the night. They fear they will be the collateral damage of the war on Al Houthis.
“It was all so sudden. They started bombing until dawn leaving everyone scared and confused,” Amal Abdulaziz, a Sana’a resident told Gulf News over the phone.
With no prior warning, air strikes and on-ground shooting have shut down all activity in the city as schools, offices and supermarkets close their doors, said Amal.
Living in the area of Hadaa, Amal pointed out that most air strikes are directed at Al Houthi-controlled areas such as the presidential palace, the airport and military airport, as well as military instillations. However, “you cannot escape the sound of explosions and machine guns from any point in the city,” she said.
Amal said that many people are still in shock and haven’t realised what is happening. “The air strikes need to stop because we all know that lots of innocent people are going to die,” she said.
People who are not as close to the targeted areas have rushed to the nearest open supermarkets to stock up on food supplies as the future of the country remains unknown.
Another resident Khaled Mohammad, 46, a government employee said fear and tension has spread amongst the Yemeni people as the city of Sana’a is currently “paralised.” Living not too far from the presidential palace, Mohammad said explosions can be heard from every direction, as the air strikes have hit areas including the Nukum Mountain, and the governorate of Sadaa.
“With this war they are causing too much chaos and damage, all the countries involved need to stop and find a solution through dialogue,” said Mohammad. The number of victims killed and injured is on the rise, however, an exact number is not yet available, he added.
Living in the center of the capital’s chaos, Ruqaya Mohammad, a mother of four said her family is shaken by the continuous bombings. Woken up by a series of loud bangs and the sound of rattling windows, Ruqaya said she felt her building shake and was not able to sleep.
She pointed out that while terrified of what’s to come, she is more concerned about other houses in the neighbourhood that have completely collapsed and the people who have been injured.
“The city is closed, and the hospitals are quickly getting full with victims hurt from the bombings. We hate the Al Houthis, but we hate war more because it’s the innocent who get killed,” said Ruqaya.
Just like many residents, Ruqaya’s biggest fear is the aftermath of the war.
“Yemen is a poor and neglected country, and this movement is causing more damage; who will rebuild our country?” she said. The Sana’a resident said she believes the Al Houthis should have been stopped months ago when they first approached the boarders of Sana’a.
Another resident Ayah Amin, 24, described the situation as a “tragedy.” She said, there are rumors that an entire village by the airport has been leveled after being hit by an airstrike. “The number of deaths is high and electricity is being cut off at hospitals for hours at a time,” she said. Just like many other residents, Ayah believes the blood shed is not the answer.
Other residents who want to leave the country to join family members abroad are not able to as Sana’a International Airport has been bombed. “We can’t even leave the house and drive down our neighbourhood to join our families. We feel trapped and worried, and are praying our roof doesn’t fall down on our heads” said Mohammad Ali, a retired government employee. Ali believes the solution should involve a more democratic approach that includes political dialogue and parliamentary elections. “Explosions and flying bullets are not the answer,” he said.
