Over a cup of Sulaimani chai or in the midst of their football match, the Yemeni students cannot help, but be absorbed in their discussions on the latest turmoil unfolding in their country. From the time the Saudi Arabia-led coalition declared war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, tension and concern is palpable among 400-odd Yemeni students. Pursuing various courses, a good chunk of these expat students are presently studying in Osmania University.
“I am homesick and call my family members in Yemen at least four times a day,” said Adam Sawab, Yemen student representative and a student of Journalism. “All the Yemeni news websites are blocked and we are not able to get any information from there. Facebook is the only source of news for us. Hence, I am constantly checking my Facebook page for updates.”
The 26-year-old takes a neutral stand and is not in favour of Saudi intervention in the affairs of the country, unlike many of the other Yemeni students.
Ramzi Al Sharabi, who comes from the cultural city of Taiz, is doing his bit from India to make sure his close ones are safe. “I call up my friends and relatives in Yemen and advise them not to take up arms in the ongoing conflict. I tell them that it is the job of the government to handle the situation and they better concentrate on their lives and career,” he said.
The student of M.A. Linguistics from OU, who supports the stand of Saudi coalition, says that their relations with the Iranian students are friendly in spite of reports that Iran is behind the rise of Houthi armed militia.
Some are even hoping that the war will end soon. “My course will end in four months and I want to visit my family then,” said Nabil Alasmi, a student and resident of Sitaphalmandi. “Many students have plans to visit Yemen around that time. But we are wary of the situation and might postpone if the situation worsens.”
