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Yemenis Share Reports, Rumors and Wry Commentary Online as Bombs Drop
As soon as the first airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital, Sana, in the early hours of Thursday morning, Yemenis deployed across social networks to share a stream of firsthand reports, images, analysis and wry commentary on the Saudi-led assault.
Taken together, the fragmentary Twitter and Facebook updates and snatches of grainy video on Instagram and YouTube offered observers following the conflict from afar vivid glimpses of the terror, anxiety, confusion and dark comedy of a long night under bombardment.
I only hear the explosions, no sound of fighter jets. I guess they fly at very high altitudes. #Saudi #airstrikes
— Ammar Aulaqi (@ammar82) March 25, 2015
Explosions/bombardment in multiple locations in capital Sana'a #Yemen now and antiaircraft rattling in frenzy.
— Hisham Al-Omeisy هشام العميسي (@omeisy) March 26, 2015
After dawn, as residents of Sana ventured out, some reported that they were surprised to find life going on, somewhat as normal, although schools were closed and there were long lines for fuel. Others shared political commentary and personal reflections, while anxiously watching the sky for signs of a renewed assault.
Images of Yemen’s president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, appearing in Saudi Arabia and smiling broadly were bitterly dissected back home.
As night fell and new bombing was reported in the capital and other parts of the country, Yemenis seemed to adjust to the new normal, comparing the second night’s strikes to what had come before. They joked about extending thanks to the nation of Oman for not joining in the attack and shared tips on how to deal with the pressure and stress.
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