Most Scared I’ve Been”: Donald Reacts as US Strikes Sow Panic in Yemen…
In the war-torn nation of Yemen, an increasing sense of terror has swept through the civilian population in response to a series of airstrikes conducted by the United States. As the country remains embroiled in a brutal conflict between the Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebels, foreign military interventions have only intensified the anxiety and fear among Yemenis. Recently, U.S. airstrikes targeting strategic locations within Yemen have sparked panic, with many residents sharing that it is the most frightened they’ve ever been.
**The Descent into Chaos**
Yemen has long been one of the most impoverished and conflict-ridden countries in the Middle East, suffering from civil war since 2014. The conflict has become a proxy war involving various regional and international powers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United States. The humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, with millions displaced, widespread famine, and a healthcare system teetering on the edge of collapse. Yet, despite the magnitude of the destruction, the recent surge of U.S. strikes has taken the terror to new heights.
Since 2021, the U.S. has escalated its military involvement in Yemen under the guise of counterterrorism operations, primarily targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS. However, many of these strikes have indiscriminately affected civilians, leading to widespread panic and fear among the population. For many, the fear is not just of death or injury but of the unpredictable nature of airstrikes that can descend at any moment.
**The Reality on the Ground**
For those living in Yemen, life has become a constant balancing act between survival and the constant threat of violence from the air. “I have never been this scared before,” says one resident, a father of three in the capital city of Sana’a. “We can never feel safe. Every time we hear a plane, we just hide. We don’t know if the next strike will hit our home.”
Many Yemenis are now trapped in a perpetual state of anxiety, never knowing when the next airstrike might come. The U.S. military’s operations, though often targeting militant groups, have inadvertently caused casualties among civilians. The strikes, carried out with little warning, have led to a high number of deaths and injuries, not only from direct hits but also from the ensuing chaos. Hospitals, schools, and markets have been damaged or destroyed, making life in Yemen even more perilous.
**The Psychological Toll**
The emotional and psychological toll on Yemen’s population cannot be overstated. Families who once had a semblance of normalcy are now living in a constant state of trauma. Reports from humanitarian organizations have highlighted the severe mental health impact the ongoing strikes have on children, with many suffering from acute stress and fear. As bombs drop from the sky, they witness firsthand the destruction of their homes, schools, and places of worship.
A local humanitarian worker, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, shared the impact of the strikes on the mental well-being of Yemen’s youth: “Children often wake up in the middle of the night, screaming in fear, terrified that the planes will come again. It’s a form of trauma that will stay with them for life.”
**The U.S. Role and International Outcry**
The U.S. government has justified its airstrikes as necessary for protecting national security interests, particularly in preventing terrorist groups like AQAP from gaining strength. However, this justification has been met with increasing criticism from human rights organizations and local populations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other groups have condemned the strikes, arguing that they often violate international law by disproportionately affecting civilians.
In 2023, a United Nations report found that the United States had played a significant role in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by supporting the Saudi-led coalition with arms, intelligence, and air support. While the U.S. has taken steps to limit its direct involvement, many argue that its continued backing of airstrikes has contributed to the ongoing suffering of Yemen’s civilian population.
**The Path to Peace?**
The international community has been slow to respond to the cries for peace in Yemen. The ceasefire agreements that have come and gone have failed to end the violence, with both sides of the conflict continuing to engage in hostilities. Many Yemenis express frustration at the lack of meaningful progress toward peace. For them, it often seems that they are pawns in a broader geopolitical game.
Amid this turmoil, voices from Yemen call for an end to foreign military involvement, urging the U.S. and other powers to focus on humanitarian aid rather than military intervention. The United Nations has made several appeals for a renewed focus on diplomacy and a concerted effort to address the humanitarian disaster.
**Conclusion**
The recent airstrikes carried out by the U.S. have not only exacerbated the destruction of Yemen but also left an indelible scar on the psyche of its people. For many, the terror is no longer just about physical harm but about the loss of stability, peace, and hope for a better future. As Yemen remains trapped in the throes of war, the echoes of fear and despair continue to resonate across the country, leaving behind a people desperately seeking peace.
In the face of such uncertainty and fear, Yemen’s residents ask for the world to see them—not as victims of a war but as people yearning for the simple right to live in peace, free from the constant fear of death from above.
