FIGHTING IN SANA’A DISPLACES HUNDREDS

FIGHTING IN SANA’A DISPLACES HUNDREDS

Published on 23 September 2014 in News
Ali Ibrahim Al-Moshki (author), Mohammad Al-Qalisi (photographer)

While some residents who were displaced within Sana’a have returned home, others continue to fear the persistence of insecurity. Residents who fled to neighboring cities or governorates have been slower to return

SANA’A, Sept. 21—Hundreds of families were displaced and dozens of houses were destroyed or damaged during clashes that took place between the military and Houthi militants.

Between last Tuesday night and Sunday, a number of residential neighborhoods in Sana'a witnessed shelling and gunfights, forcing many residents to flee to safety.

Over the weekend clashes took place at the state TV headquarters, a compound housing three state-run TV channels, which the Houthis gained control of on Saturday evening. Fighting also occurred in Maeen district, which surrounds 30 Meter Street, in Madhbah area, near Al-Iman University, and near the headquarters of the 6th Military Command, formerly known as the 1st Armored Division.

Areas in the capital including Shamlan, Al-Thawra, Ma'een, and 60 Meter Street witnessed widespread displacement to other governorates.

The Yemen Times visited Al-Thawra district on Saturday during the clashes. Most houses were wrecked and abandoned and roads were closed.

No soldiers or security checkpoints could be seen in Al-Hasaba area in Al-Thawra district. At the entrance to Soufan area a checkpoint was manned by armed Houthis, some of whom appeared to be less than 15 years old. The Yemen Times talked to a Houthi who claimed to be the head of the checkpoint. He said they are fighting the 4th Armored Brigade, which is part of the 1st Armored Division, located at the TV headquarters. Once they gained control over the 4th Armored Brigade, it will be handed to the military police, he said.

However, as of Monday the Houthis have not surrendered the compound.

The Yemen Times’ journalist was then searched and warned to be careful as the Houthis have snipers on many of the rooftops in the area.

Near the state TV headquarters shells and bullets were witnessed hitting buildings indiscriminately. At the time of evening prayer, when clashes grew more intense, the Yemen Times’ journalist found refuge with Jamal Al-Maliki, a resident near the headquarters. Many other residents refused the journalist the use of their houses to take shelter from the shelling, saying they were scared they would be targeted.

The windows of Al-Maliki’s house were broken and the walls were cracked by multiple stray shells. “The war ruined my home. I had tenants but they left, we had to group all our women in one room in the basement in fear of the shelling.”

“The 2011 war which toppled former President Ali Abdullah Saleh hit us very hard: Our house was destroyed, our children were killed, the state did not compensate us. Now the same thing is happening, who will support us?”

When asked about his neighbors, Al-Maliki said “most of them left, men only stayed behind to protect their homes. Those who were less lucky and unable to leave the area live in extreme fear.”

The Yemen Times witnessed mortars, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), tanks, and rifles being used.

In other areas as well, most residents have been displaced, while others are living in fear. In Madhbah area, for example, “shells are dropping day and night, and the loud sounds scare everyone,” said Shaif Muqne'a, a local resident.

He added, “my grandmother is missing since Thursday. She is 70 years old. On Thursday she went out and the shelling started, she could have entered one of the neighborhoods and disappeared. So far, we have no idea about where she is.”

Mohammad Hezam, deputy director of the Public Relations Department in the Ministry of Interior, said on Sunday “we cannot do anything for the displaced until the battles are done.”

One day later, on Monday, Hezam told the Yemen Times that although the fighting has ceased, the ministry does not have the authority to help the displaced in any way, as the current government is in the process of being dissolved. It is up to the new government, which has yet to be formed, to repair the damage caused by recent fighting and to take care of displaced citizens.

Ali Al-Imad, a member in the Houthis’ Political Office, said “the authorities are responsible for these events and the residents’ displacement, [the government] targeted Houthis, and they responded.”

During the 2011 uprising many clashes broke out in Sana’a, taking the lives of hundreds of citizens and injuring many more. Over 3,300 homes were destroyed and the damage was estimated at approximately $14,000,000, according to government statistics.

So far, no compensation has been paid for the damage to residential buildings.

The fighting between the Houthis and military and security forces stopped Sunday evening. Some locals who were displaced within Sana’a have returned home, although many of them came back to destroyed houses. Residents who fled to neighboring cities or governorates have been slower to return.

Many displaced have stayed away from home, due to the persistence of insecurity and the fear that clashes could resume in Sana’a. Furthermore, the Houthis continue to maintain a strong presence in the absence of the state in many areas of the capital.

http://www.yementimes.com