Glorious Yemen

From Sami Tafesh

These tall, fortress-like houses are built primarily of locally quarried stone (often with thick lower walls for strength and defense). They feature rows of small arched or rectangular windows (sometimes with shutters), which provide light, ventilation, and limited views while maintaining privacy and security. The design is practical for the mountainous terrain: Vertical construction saves scarce flat land for agriculture, the height aids defense against raids, and the solid stone helps with temperature regulation in the highland climate. 

  • CrossFireArabia

    CrossFireArabia

    Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

    Related Posts

    Say Cheese!

    By Ibrahim Isam

    I was documenting a children’s film screening in Gaza, trying, as I often do, to steal a moment before a child realizes he/she is being seen. Then, from just behind me, came a shy, almost inaudible voice: “Can you take a picture of us… together?”

    I turned and found two little girls watching the shutter of my camera, as if they had discovered something of themselves there before I had.

    For a moment, I no longer knew who was photographing whom; I was following them with my eyes, while they were searching for their own presence in mine.

    Perhaps, in the end, all we ask of one another is this: I see you. And perhaps that is how we remain.

    I took the photograph, and was left with a question: Do we make photographs, or do they find us when we are finally ready to see?

    Continue reading
    Israel Vessels Fire at Three Fishermen in Gaza

    Three Palestinian fishermen were injured Friday when Israeli naval vessels opened fire at them while working off the coast of Gaza City, a local union official said. Zakaria Bakr, coordinator of the Fishermen’s Committees Union in Gaza, said in a Facebook post that Israeli naval vessels fired machine guns at a fishing boat, injuring three fishermen. Bakr said the incident came amid continuing attacks against Gaza’s fishermen that endanger their lives and deprive them of their livelihoods. Gaza’s fishermen have faced Israeli restrictions on access to the sea since the start of Israel’s war in October 2023. A UN report on 2 July said the Israeli navy continued to prevent Gaza residents from accessing the sea despite the 10 October 2025 ceasefire. The fishing industry has suffered extensive damage, including to Gaza’s port, boats and equipment according to Anadolu.

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Glorious Yemen

    Glorious Yemen

    Say Cheese!

    Say Cheese!

    Israel Vessels Fire at Three Fishermen in Gaza

    Israel Vessels Fire at Three Fishermen in Gaza

    Palestine in the Olive Harvest

    Palestine in the Olive Harvest

    Smiles and Embroidery

    • By marwan
    • August 14, 2026
    • 12 views
    Smiles and Embroidery

    ‘No Need For Your Crocodile Tears’

    • By Heba
    • August 13, 2026
    • 9 views
    ‘No Need For Your Crocodile Tears’