(Agence France-Press/The National) – Back to school for young Yemenis in Sanaa on Monday was a stark reminder of why many missed classes in the first place – rebels were using it as an arms dump. Shiite rebels had swept into the north of the city from their northern mountain stronghold, pressing the authorities for reforms and a greater say in the impoverished country’s affairs. After days of brief but bloody fighting, mainly in the north of the city where the Shamlan school is located, the Houthi rebels, known as Ansarullah, occupied it after overrunning Sanaa on September 21. Children who turned up on Monday after the school was supposed to have reopened found the gates firmly shut and ended up having classes in the street outside.
