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Child's Deadly School Run on Yemen's Front Lines
6 Oct
Summary
- Rafeef's school is on a mountain at a contested front line.
- Houthi sniper positions are on one side of her school.
- She fears walking uphill with her back to the snipers.
In Taiz, Yemen, 10-year-old Rafeef's daily commute to school is fraught with peril. Her school is strategically located on a mountain overlooking a valley that serves as a no-man's land, a critical front line in the ongoing civil war.
The area is divided, with government-controlled territory on one side of the school and Houthi sniper positions on the other. Rafeef's home is situated further down the mountain.
Each morning, Rafeef undertakes a daunting uphill walk towards her school, her back exposed to the danger of snipers. This perilous journey underscores the profound risks faced by children pursuing education amidst active conflict.
Despite the constant threat, Rafeef anticipates attending school to see friends and engage in her studies, including maths, Arabic, and Islamic studies, with English to be added next year.
