God Only Knows What is Going on in Yemen!

Published February 25th, 2021 - 08:07 GMT

All these families they have to scoop up their children and run before getting caught in the crossfires between Yemen's warring sides. The Al-Zor camp where they had been living for four years is no longer safe with the Iran-backed Huothis drawing nearer in a major offensive against the northern city of Marib and its nearby oil fields.

Around 140 sites have sprung up in the region to provide basic shelter for the displaced, who number up to one million according to some estimates.

Al-Zor is among a cluster of 14 displacement sites in Marib's Sirwah district - a flashpoint area on the road to the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

All the camps could be forced to empty as the Houthis intensify their campaign for the province, a huge prize that would consolidate their control of the north and give them possession of Yemen's richest oil and gas fields.

Until early last year, life in Marib was relatively peaceful despite the civil war that erupted in 2014.

But as the front lines shift, and air raids by Saudi Arabia and its allies pound the area, there is new peril for civilians, whether they are in dismal camps, lodging with relatives, or sheltering at other informal sites including abandoned buildings.

The fighting shows no signs of abating despite heavy losses on both sides.

The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk".

Yemen is already enduring what the UN says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with famine again stalking the country.

View as a slider
View as a list

A Yemeni girl stands at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

A Yemeni girl stands at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

Yemeni girls sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

Yemeni children sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

Yemeni children play at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

A Yemeni child sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

A Yemeni girl sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

A Yemeni child sits in a tent at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

A Yemeni girl stands at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million hav
A Yemeni girl stands at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 mil
Yemeni girls sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have be
Yemeni children sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 mil
Yemeni children play at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million hav
A Yemeni child sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
A Yemeni girl sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
A Yemeni child sits in a tent at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been
A Yemeni girl stands at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million hav
A Yemeni girl stands at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
A Yemeni girl stands at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced
A Yemeni girl stands at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 mil
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
Yemeni girls sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have be
Yemeni girls sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
Yemeni children sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
Yemeni children sit at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 mil
Yemeni children are pictured at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
Yemeni children play at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million hav
Yemeni children play at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
A Yemeni child sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
A Yemeni child sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
A Yemeni girl sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have
A Yemeni girl sits at the Jaw al-Naseem camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP
A Yemeni child sits in a tent at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been
A Yemeni child sits in a tent at a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the northern city of Marib, on February 18, 2021 in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government's last northern bastion. Until early last year, life in Marib city was relatively peaceful despite the Yemen's civil war that erupted in 2014. The United Nations warned last week of a potential humanitarian disaster if the fight for Marib continues, saying it has put "millions of civilians at risk". More than 3.3 million have been displaced across the country, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of cholera, malaria and dengue fever due to lack of proper sanitation and healthcare. Nabil ALAWZARI / AFP

You may also like

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content