Photos: The battle for the evil city of the important city of Marib | Gallery Articles

Leading the charge in the civil war in Yemen, the months-long war in the city of Marib has been marred by dead and wounded on both sides.

Houthi rebels have been trying since February to seize the city, but have been protected by a deadly attack by Saudi Arabia. Yemeni government forces defending Marib say they need more and better weapons to stem the tide.

Among other peace talks, this time under the auspices of Oman, officials and observers believe that the Marib finalists have called for peace.

Marib – 115km (70 miles) east of the Sanaa capital on the edge of the Yemeni desert – is the gateway from the central mountains to the southern and eastern regions.

This is where the oil and gas fields are located, with global companies – including Exxon Mobil Corp and Total SA – having their own interests. Its natural gas shut-off plant emits cooking air for 29 million people. Its once-generating power plant supplies 40 percent of Yemen’s electricity.

Its steadfastness over the years has resulted in the escape of refugees. The area, home to some 400,000 people before the war, now has about 2.2 million homeless people, many of whom have filled camps.

The city streets are busy during the day with taxis and 4 × 4 security vehicles. At night, men go to restaurants and restaurants or gather in houses, chewing qat leaves to keep their attention. No attention is paid to the war outside their city.

‘Victims of War’

But signs posted by fallen rulers and by neighboring soldiers remind us. The city’s cemeteries have been enlarged to accommodate the growing number of civilians.

“We bury between 10 and 15 people every day, mostly martyrs,” said Mohammed Saeed Nasser, a graveyard supervisor.

Marib General Hospital has been filled with dozens of injured fighters every day for months, said their director, Mohamed Abdo al-Qubati.

At the hospital, there were 10 patients. In one bed, Ali Saad, 22, slept for a while. He was killed by a Houthi bomber on June 18.

“I suffered a lot when I was arrested, I was tortured physically and emotionally,” he said. “This gave us a glimpse of what the Houthis were like. We came out with a strong and incredible heart to deal with them.”