A bleak Eid in Yemen

Amar Saleh, a 25-year old resident of Sana'a, knows Eid al-Adha - the Muslim festival of sacrifice - is approaching. But this year, he does not know how to celebrate, as his country, Yemen, lies in ruins. The four day annual feast of Eid al-Adha will kick off this Monday, September 12. But for Saleh and other Yemenis, the celebration falls at a time of dire humanitarian crisis.

The cost of infrastructure damage and economic losses since the breakout of war in Yemen has reached more than $14 billion, according to a recent joint report published by the World Bank, United Nations, Islamic Development Bank and the European Union. These tremendous setbacks have complicated the life of an already impoverished nation.

Saleh is a school teacher, receiving 40,000 Yemeni Rials a month (about $150), making it all but impossible to save money. Like many people in Yemen, Saleh says this Eid will not be joyful, as the bombings are constant, the bloodshed continues and the price of basics is exorbitant. "The price of clothes I bought last year for Eid has doubled now. This is only one example of the hardship. There is no more room for joy in Yemen," laments Saleh.

Ghamadan Abdulqadir , a government employee in the customs authority in Sana'a, said this Eid will be gloomy. "Last Eid was better, and I was glad. Smiles and laughs were everywhere. Children set off fireworks, and a sense of joy was felt. Now people do not care about Eid. There is a huge difference."  

'There is no more room for joy in Yemen', - Amar Saleh, resident of Sana'a

Living in the Houthi held Sana'a, Abdulqadir says that "warplanes hover overhead every now and then. "I cannot celebrate as I see others lose their family members, houses and properties. It is just saddening."

While people in Yemen may have varying political views and affiliations, when it comes to the consequences of war, they all agree that the fallout of the conflict has been destructive. "Air raids and ground fighting in several areas have hit parks, markets and destroyed roads... It is a hellish scene," said Salim Salam, a 28-year old university graduate living in Sana'a.

"Last year, I visited my village in Taiz. I will not go there this Eid. Travelling is just unsafe, and I am not interested in leaving my place," Salam continued. While Eid in Yemen is usually teeming with trips and family visits, this year, people prefer to stay indoors. Several bridges connecting provinces have been destroyed by airstrikes.

"A smile is enough"

Hussein al-Bukhaiti, a political commentator and member of the Houthi group which today rules Sana'a, said the people will celebrate this Eid as much as they can. "They may not buy new clothes, sweets and other accessories. But this will not steal their joy. A smile is enough, and we have to defy tough circumstances" said Al-Bukhaiti.

People in Yemen practice a variety of traditions during Eid. They may dance, sing and chew qat - a narcotic leaf, together.

Worn-out notes add insult to injury

During Eid, employees usually take their salaries and head to the markets. But this year, their salaries are something of a sticking point. Lately, the they have been paid in worn-out notes from the Central Bank of Yemen, located in the Houthi-controlled Sana'a. Authorities in Sana'a have had to fall back on use of the old notes due to a money shortage.  

As citizens have no power to change the situation, they receive the old notes, endeavoring to spend them. "This is really another war against us [the people]. We suffer in numerous aspects, and receiving such unacceptable notes is another source of grief," said Saif Al-Sharabi, a government employee in Sana'a.  

"The re-issuing of the worn-out notes leads to negative consequences, especially for those of limited income," says Ahmed Shamakh, a Yemeni economist. "Citizens cannot spend what they have. Possessing such money is equal to nothing."

According to Shamakh, the bank has not printed new notes this year due to the turbulent situation the country has been undergoing.

The root of the problem

The ongoing plight in Yemen has not popped up overnight. A string of dramatic developments has preceded the quagmire.   

In September 2014, Houthi militants, coming from Saada province to the north of Yemen, took Sana'a by force. Their military expansion stretched towards other provinces. In early 2015, they placed Saudi-backed President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi under house arrest. After weeks of being under house arrest, he managed to flee to Aden, Yemen's second largest city to the south of the country. He announced that Aden would be a temporary capital of Yemen until Sana'a is recaptured. 

The bombings are constant, the bloodshed continues and the price of basics is exorbitant

Houthis, armed to the teeth did not stand by. They advanced towards the south, reaching Aden, the last shelter of Hadi. Consequently, Hadi fled in March of last year to Saudi Arabia, calling for foreign intervention. Saudi Arabia led an Arab coalition, launching an air campaign against the Houthis and allied forces of former President Ali Saleh.

Since then, the war has continued and the Houthis and allied forces retain the upper hand in numerous northern provinces.

Eighteen months have slipped by since the breakout of war, and the people have been bearing the brunt of atrocities, with none of the parties to the conflict willing to capitulate.

The United Nations has put the casualty toll from the conflict in Yemen at 10,000. In addition, the conflict has displaced three million Yemenis and forced 200,000 to seek refuge abroad, UN reports estimated.

Eid al-Adha is just a few days away and Yemenis have lost their enthusiasm for this religious festival. They have bigger concerns and high hopes. "We want peace. we want the war to vanish. This will be our real celebration," said Saleh. 


Khalid Al-Karimi is a freelance reporter and translator. He is a staff member of the Sana'a-based Yemeni Media Center and previously worked as a full-time editor and reporter for the Yemen Times newspaper.

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.