Yemenis say: 'Enough war'

 By 
Megan Specia
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The Yemenis have had enough of war.

For six days, a Saudi-led coalition has targeted Shiite rebels with airstrikes, destroying missiles and weapons depots but also killing civilians.

The airstrikes come after months of conflict in Yemen, pitting Shiite rebels against the government in Sana'a.

Using the hashtag #Kefayawar (which translates as enough war), Yemenis on Twitter are calling for an end to the violence and instability that has rattled the country in recent weeks.

#OurYemen #KefayaWar from #Taiz #ResoluteStorm pic.twitter.com/rfSPB9tS19— S a l a #Yemen (@Not_Sala) March 31, 2015

#KefayaWar bc there's already an enormous humanitarian crisis & we don't need more bombs to make it worse #Yemen— Rooj (@Rooj129) March 31, 2015

Houthis took over the capital in September and President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled the country last week, adding to the instability.

#Kefayawar a hashtag meaning "enough"war, because #Yemen-is want peace, food, water, education, health facilities, infrastructure. #ourYemen— نون عربية (@NoonArabia) March 31, 2015

The conflict is taking a toll on civilians. On Monday, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a camp for internally displaced people who have been living there since 2009.

The closure of the country's international airports have added further strains on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling for the major players in the conflict to allow medical supplies needed to the treat casualties of the clashes and air strikes to be safely transported.

According to the ICRC, a shipment of medical supplies to treat from 700 to 1,000 people was due to arrive by plane on Tuesday for distribution to hospitals across the country that are running low on supplies but the group has been unable to secure safe passage.

"There are casualties across the country. There have been air strikes in the north, west and south, and clashes between opposing Yemeni armed groups in the center and south, that are putting immense strain on already weak medical services," said Cedric Schweizer, who heads an ICRC team of 300 people in Yemen, in a statement released Tuesday.

The people of Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, are asking the international community for help.

#KefayaWar humanitarian aid should be allowed to enter #Yemen, civilians should be permitted to use ports #yemen— Rasha Jarhum (@RashaJarhum) March 31, 2015

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is also struggling to provide much needed aid to the country, and say field teams are "exhausted and overloaded."

"We urgently need to find ways to get humanitarian relief and personnel inside the country," said Dr. Greg Elder, MSF director of operations. "Even reaching the areas of greatest need within Yemen is difficult, as domestic flights have been canceled and movements inside the country are risky."

Big explosions. 3:58 am local time. We're growing sick of this with no end in sight. Enough! #KefayaWar— Ammar Al-Aulaqi (@ammar82) March 31, 2015

Ammar Al-Aulaqi, a resident of Sana'a, has been providing daily updates on the view of airstrikes nearby as seen from his window. He too has had enough but told Mashable that Yemenis are very resilient.

"Power cuts are becoming more frequent, water is scarce in Yemen as usual," said Al-Aulaqi. "Yes it's scary but we live as normal."

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!