People go about their daily business in Jazan.

Residents of towns bordering Yemen say that they are not living in fear because of the constant sound of aircraft and explosions, and are going about their normal daily business, a local publication reported on Monday.

Many of those interviewed were adamant that they would not leave their homes because they were confident that soldiers from Saudi Arabia and countries involved in the coalition would protect them and their property.

They said that over the seven months that the war has been going on, they have become accustomed to the sounds. It has almost become like the sound of thunder and lightning, which is often heard in their part of the country, they said.

Residents of Al-Khouba village said they often hear sounds of missiles from the Saudi side aimed at Houthi fighters across the border. Initially they used to watch what was happening, but now mostly ignore what is going on, they reportedly said.

They said people lead normal lives including getting together to chat or watch football games. One person said that it was as if the war “does not exist here, although we can hear the loud sounds of artillery and aircraft, but do not actually see them.”

Mohammad Al-Sharahli, an elderly man residing in the area who breeds cattle, said that he has never left his land during the time the conflict has been taking place. “My wife and I take our cattle and sheep to graze in the valleys. We do not feel that we are in any danger. Our children, who work outside the region, visit us every Friday and Saturday without feeling threatened or in danger.”

Residents also said that local markets have been continuing their business as normal. On Sunday the market is open in Masarha, on Monday in Samtah, and on Thursday in Al-Ardhah. They are now stocking locally produced goods because there are no longer imports coming in from Yemen.

Abdullah Saeed who used to trade in bananas, fat and honey said: “At the beginning of the crisis we had a shortfall of fruit and honey. But now we have found that all the products we used to get from Yemen are available locally.”

He said local products include coffee beans, bananas, honey, papaya and mangoes. Young and old head to the popular market in Al-Waad without “paying any attention to the raging war. We only hear about the war on television and radio,” he said.

Meanwhile, the security authorities have busted several attempts to smuggle weapons across the border since the war began. Recently, the army seized 2,010 rounds of live ammunition, 40 high-caliber weapons, one machine gun, three pistols and a revolver.

The police in Jazan have also helped to counter smuggling of drugs, including Qat. The police said on Sunday it had seized more than 100 packs of Qat on the border.

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