In southwestern Yemen, students at a school in Taiz face extraordinary dangers as they travel to and from classes positioned on a mountain overlooking a heavily contested area of the country’s civil conflict. The school sits on territory controlled by forces backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government, with Houthi sniper positions visible from the opposite side of a valley. For students like 10-year-old Rafeef, daily walks to school require traversing dangerous terrain with snipers positioned nearby, yet many children continue attending despite the risks.
Yemen’s ongoing civil war, which began in 2014, has severely disrupted education throughout the country. According to Unicef, approximately 3.2 million children were already out of school before recent escalations in fighting. The conflict between government-backed forces and Iran-backed Houthis has resulted in thousands of child casualties and forced recruitment by armed groups on both sides. Teachers and administrators at the school have become accustomed to regular shelling and sniper fire, though the constant threat remains acute.
The broader military situation in Taiz has deteriorated recently, with Houthis cutting off a vital supply route to the coastal city of Aden earlier this week, effectively encircling the city. The conflict has intensified across multiple fronts, with government forces reporting gains near strategic shipping routes and launching operations toward the capital. Meanwhile, civilians in Taiz continue to face casualties from combat operations, including a three-year-old killed by mortar fire and an 11-year-old injured while working at a mechanic’s shop with his family.
Despite the pervasive violence, many families prioritize education for their children, viewing schooling as essential to securing better futures. Residents acknowledge living with constant uncertainty about what tomorrow may bring, as the conflict shows no signs of resolution and fighting threatens to intensify further.
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