(Photo: Reuters)

Since the Saudi-led coalition operation against the Houthi rebels, insecurity and tension escalate on the streets of the capital in Yemen. The schools and universities are still closed and some residents preferred to stay indoors.
At least 39 civilians have been killed in the air campaign, the Health Ministry officials said. At least six children under the age of 10 are among the dead. Also, dozens more were wounded in Yemen.
Nawal Ahmed, who works in Sanaa’s immigration centre, said “Why [do they] come and involve themselves in our problems?” she said, referring to the Saudi-led coalition. “We are Yemenis. We will try and find a way to resolve this.”
Ahmed Tariq, who runs a travel agency in the al-Hasaba area, told Al Jazeera he believes the air strikes are necessary. “Houthis didn’t care about the people in Yemen. All they cared about was power and running the streets with weapons,” “They refused peaceful negotiations.”, he said.

The Coalition Operation: The sides of actors

The conflict between the Houthis and the forces loyal to the President Mansour Hadi is also seen as a part of a power struggle between Shia-ruled Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia. In that proxy war:
-Saudi Arabia has mobilized 150,000 troops and some 100 fighter jets.
-Egypt sends warships through Suez Canal to support Saudi operation, taken in support of Yemen’s President Hadi.
-The US supports its Gulf Cooperation Council ‘partners’ through intelligence sharing, targeting assistance and logistical support.
-Pakistan “declared their willingness to participate” in the offensive launched Thursday.
-Turkish President Erdogan said Ankara may ‘consider giving logistical support’ to ongoing military operation targeting the Houthi positions.
-However, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) opposes both President Hadi and the Houthis.
-Iran and Syria condemned Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
-The Houthi supreme leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said “If any army try to invade our country, we will prove that Yemen will be a grave for those who invade us.”
-Yemen’s Foreign Minister said air strikes being carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Shia Houthi rebels should end as soon as possible.

Ayşe Nur DOK