The Yemeni airport of Sanaa reopens, a lifeline for the sick and stranded

In addition to the scars of war, the airport managed to create a near-normal scenario on Monday, when the first commercial flights since 2016 took off and landed on its runways, giving Yemeni civilians a spark of hope after years of war.

For Walid and Mohammed Hamza, Monday’s trip to Amman, Jordan – misunderstood just a few months ago – could mean the difference between life and death for their mother, Lutfia, who has multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. Like many other Yemenis, they have made long and perilous journeys to reach commercial airports in the southern cities of Aden or Seyun, passing through daring checkpoints on both sides of the country’s war, and sometimes crossing paved roads. First active line.

This year, as their mother’s condition worsened, the siblings feared the perilous journey was so risky that it wasn’t worth seeking medical care outside Yemen, even if it would save her life.

“He won’t be able to do that,” Welid said of the long, winding roads. “A trip to Aden could kill him.”

Instead, they were hoping for the possibility that the airport might open someday.

The Ramadan ceasefire brings peace to civilians in Yemen, but does not reassure

For years, Yemen has been divided between an internationally recognized government, which controls much of the south of the country and is backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, which captured the capital Sanaa in 2015. The seven-year civil war claimed tens of thousands of lives and plunged the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Saudi Arabia controls the country’s airspace. Humanitarian groups argue that the closure of the airport for normal flight effectively puts poor civilians in isolation in the north of the country, where access to advanced medical care is limited.

Then, in early April, after several failed attempts at a peace agreement and a ferocious escalation of hostilities earlier this year, the UN said it was helping. A two-month ceasefire brokered between the two sides, which will allow some flights to depart from Sanaa airport, among other conditions.

But the first flight, scheduled for April 24, was canceled shortly before take-off, sparking fears that the terms of the ceasefire could not be met and shattering the dreams of many travelers seeking emergency medical care in the ‘abroad.

After further discussions, the flight was scheduled for May 16. Passengers arrived hours before the scheduled flight, again for fear that the plane would not take off. Some have declined to speak to the Washington Post, citing concern that they might resonate with the sensitivity surrounding the flight.

Khaled Al-Shaif, general manager of Sanaa airport, said it was “a great joy” to organize the first flight carrying more than 100 passengers to Jordan. “As you can see, the passengers are families: women, children and the sick,” he said, describing it as a “great victory” for a Houthis-controlled northern government. Under the terms of the agreement, he said there are two flights a week before the ceasefire goes into effect.

Officials said they hope to increase the number of flights soon and have described the first flights as a “test” for others, including some to and from Egypt.

Washington, which has long supported Saudi Arabia’s air campaign in Yemen – which human rights groups say killed thousands of civilians – but recently moved away from the conflict and called for peace talks, welcomed the flights. as a decisive step. The Biden administration has pledged to end the war in Yemen and has also appointed its own special envoy to try to promote the resolution.

“Yemen today is witnessing the quietest period since the war began and these flights are an important step to further improve the lives and capabilities of the Yemeni people,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Monday.

Democrats in the House seek to end US support for Saudi Arabia’s air war in Yemen

Ahmed Alvazan, over 70, looked exhausted as he sat in a wheelchair waiting for the plane. In the past he has traveled overseas to Egypt, Jordan and Germany for treatment. However, he and his wife have not been able to travel overseas since 2011 due to the recent airport closure.

“I’m worried about prostate problems, hemorrhoids, fistulas and blood clots,” Alvazan said. “I was very happy when I heard that the airport was opening. “As you can see, I can’t walk, let alone a long and tiring journey to Aden or Seun.”

Nearby, a man named Ahmed sat with his relatives, waiting for his brother with kidney problems to board the plane for Aman. He spoke on the condition that only his name was used for security reasons.

He said his brother’s long-term illness prevented him from traveling on the road to Aden. He had originally planned to leave on April 24, but his hopes were dashed when the flight was canceled.

This time the flight – an empty arrival from Aden was expected – was delayed. The family was nervous, worried that it would be canceled again.

“Do you think the flight will still be carried out?” She would ask Ahmed every few minutes. “We will not leave the airport until we hear the sound of the plane landing.”

Then, around 8:15 am, the plane landed in Sanaa, a water cannon flying over the runway to greet its imminent arrival. A short time later, it flew again with 126 passengers.

Finally, Ahmed’s brother was on his way.

O’Grady, reported from Cairo.