STORY: Yemenis face "harsher-than-ever" Eid al-Fitr amid ongoing clashes in Red Sea
SHOOTING TIME: April 7, 2024
DATELINE: April 11, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:03
LOCATION: Sanaa
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Yemenis shopping at a market ahead of Eid al-Fitr
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMED ABU AL-ARABI, Dessert vendor in Sanaa
3. various of Yemenis shopping at a market
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMED HAMOOD, Customer at the market
5. various of Yemenis shopping at a market

STORYLINE:

A hush falls over the busy al-Milh market in the old city of Yemen's capital Sanaa. The narrow lanes, where the cacophony of bartering and greetings never eases during the fast-breaking festival of Eid al-Fitr, now hold a somber air.

The harsh economic reality worsened by the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea has completely soured the festive spirit of a day that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"This year is harsher than ever. There are fewer customers even than the previous years," sighs Mohamed Abu al-Arabi, a dessert vendor whose shop usually brims with excited families.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMED ABU AL-ARABI, Dessert vendor in Sanaa
"Money is tight these days as we're pulling in less than half of what we used to. Everyone is feeling the pinch of the crisis. No salaries coming in means no cash in pockets, and that's got pretty much everyone scraping by, just trying to get through the day."

Traditionally, vibrant displays of sweets would line the mud-brick shops lining the market. This year, the shelves hold a more modest selection, together with the weary faces of shoppers, indicating a stark reality.

For Muslims, including Yemenis, Eid al-Fitr is a time for family gatherings and celebratory feasting. Homes are filled with cookies, biscuits, raisins, almonds, and other treats. These sweets are not just for indulging, but tokens of hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.

"In the past, we'd buy new clothes for the children in the first days of Ramadan," said Ahmed Hamoud, a father of three, adding "now, even sweets are a struggle."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMED HAMOOD, Customer at the market
"We come from Al-Haimah Al-Dakhliah district to buy clothes for children and raisins, sweets, nuts and other demands."

The Houthis, who control large swathes of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, have been targeting ships in the international shipping lane since last November to support Palestinians.

In response, the United States and Britain launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, further escalating tensions. This tit-for-tat on the Red Sea has caused a halt to many cargo ships reaching Yemeni ports, making essential goods even scarcer in the war-torn country.

The conflict's economic toll is undeniable. Many families, unable to afford market prices, are resorting to tradition. They'll make "Kahk" at home, a simple yet delicious biscuit made with flour, water, eggs, and butter. This age-old custom ensures a sweet offering for Eid, even on a tight budget.

But for the most vulnerable, even these small joys are out of reach. The United Nations estimates that over half of Yemen's population relies on food aid due to the years-long civil war. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sanaa.
(XHTV)