The Yemeni military has captured west Taez from Houthi rebels, liberating thousands of residents and restoring some hope to what was once known as the “Dreamer’s City”.
For more than three years, since the Iran-backed militias seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa, residents of this sprawling highlands city have lived under the constant sound of artillery fire and explosives.
In addition to the daily violence, the civil war has also pushed Yemen's economy to the brink of collapse, leaving Yemenis unable to afford food staples and bottled water. Some Yemeni families have resorted to selling their daughters in marriage, in an attempt to lessen their financial burden.
The national forces, backed by the Arab Coalition, have been stalemated against the rebels since the launch of the military campaign in 2015. Military victories have often been followed by equal defeats.
As the battle raged, Taez’s residents grew reluctant to celebrate the return of Yemeni forces into parts of their city, fearful of what might happen if Houthis regained control.
But this week, it seems the population has reason to celebrate.
As the Yemeni forces entered western parts of the city, residents emerged from their homes through doors that had remained shut for weeks on end.
"They are on their way to sweep the Houthi garbage out of our lovely city," 35-year-old activist Hayat Al Thoubhani told The National. "They are advancing very fast because the UAE knows how to run the battle on the ground."
She said life is beginning to return to Taez’s abandoned streets as hundreds of displaced families returned home after years of self-imposed exile.
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Read more:
Yemenis take to Socotra's streets in support of UAE
Arab coalition strikes Yemeni presidential palace in rebel-held Sanaa
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A football match, the first in three years, was held in Taez's central Al Shohada square on Sunday. "I couldn't hold my tears as the referee blew his whistle," 31-year-old athlete Khaled Abdulrahman told The National. "The sound was a signal for a new start."
Mr Abdulrahman described the years living under Houthi control as “a living hell”.
"Most of the city is liberated, the Houthis were driven down the hill," he said, signalling to the coalition’s success in capturing the strategic high ground. "The most important thing is that Houthis are being swept not just from Taez but from all over Yemen.”
Another citizen from Taez told The National that the Houthis had placed him under house arrest for three years. "It was a very nice moment when I found myself on Saturday with my kids in the city garden," said Yaqoub Al Barakani, a man in his forties. "My kids were flying with joy as they approached the gate of the garden because they kept me imprisoned at home to watch the smoke of explosions."
The Houthis have been driven to the outskirts of the city.
The Yemeni army is now hoping to complete its victory in time for Ramadan.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
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Specs
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
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Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
