Monday October 12, 2009

FEATURE - Yemen conflict strands refugees at Saudi border

By Ulf Laessing and Nael Shyoukhi

ALB, Yemen (Reuters) - After fleeing fighting in the mountains of north Yemen, Khalaf Abdullah Abdan must now rely on humanitarian aid to survive.

As the conflict between the army and Zaidi Shi'ite rebels intensifies and neighbouring Saudi Arabia keeps tight control on its border, he fears for the future as the winter approaches.

"We had to leave... They (the rebels) destroyed our houses. We ran away on foot," said the 35-year-old from Baqim some 20 km (12 miles ) to the south, the scene of heavy fighting.

Now home is a tent next to the Yemeni border post in Alb, the last village before Saudi Arabia where people have camped in tents, a mosque, schools or locals' houses.

Battles between the army and insurgents, who complain of political, economic and religious discrimination, have killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands of people since war first broke out in 2004 -- but intensified in August.

On Sunday, the United Nations managed for the first time to bring from Saudi Arabia three trucks filled with tents and mattresses for 300 refugees.

"The situation is disastrous because of the war," said Abdul-Rahman al-Dhafer from the local aid group Amal, which is distributing U.N. aid in the rugged area.

Some 2,000 families are stranded in Mandiya further up the mountains, but only 200 of them have tents, he said.

"They're in need of basic services. We have an urgent need for health care, food, tents and mattresses, especially in this area which is cold, very cold," Dhafer said.

FIGHTING SHIFTS NORTH

Fighting has come closer to the north, pushing more refugees towards Saudi Arabia, a key ally of veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh which fears Al Qaeda will exploit instability in Yemen to stage attacks in one of the world's biggest oil exporters.

"I think fighting is spreading out," said one U.N. official who did not want to be named. "The frontline is moving all the time. It's difficult to verify which areas are still controlled by the government."

Sandwiched between cliffs and mountains, Alb and other villages depend on one road from the Saudi border to Saada, the centre of the fighting, 90 km (56 miles) to the south. There is no hospital and the sound of shelling can be heard in the distance.

"The situation is very bad... At the moment we are just covering 300 families and there are hundreds more," said Sultan Khilji, protection officer of the first U.N. aid convoy.

Relief agencies estimate 150,000 people have been displaced in the conflict but with no access to the war zone they have no clear idea how many have fled. Yemen has barred journalists and diplomats from travelling independently to the northern provinces of Saada, Amran and Hajjeh.

Yemeni security officers tried to stop reporters from talking to refugees and filming, destroying TV footage and denying entry to a camp in Mandiya.

Many children and teenagers stroll around in dirty clothes.

"I came with my family from Baqim when rebels came with troops and fighting started," said 17-year-old Faris Mujahed, who has been here almost a month. "The school year has started but we cannot go to school."

"I don't know when I can go back. I now sleep in a mosque," said Misfir, a 18-year-old farmer.

Yemenis with Saudi residency drive north through the border every day to buy basic good such as rice, milk and water cheaply in Saudi Arabia then sell them at profit in Alb.

"Everything has become expensive," said Mohammed, a Yemeni in his 20s with Saudi residency. "My wife lives in a village over the border so I go regularly to get supplies," he said, while waiting for Saudi officials to check his passport.

"They buy up everything here. Tents have been sold out," said a Saudi customs official.

(Editing by Andrew Hammond and Samia Nakhoul)

News

Monday October 12, 2009

FEATURE - Yemen conflict strands refugees at Saudi border

By Ulf Laessing and Nael Shyoukhi