(11 Sep 2016) LEAD IN:
Yemenis are struggling to afford the sacrificial animals normally purchased for Eid al-Adha.
The country's ongoing economy has caused massive price rises at a time when many people are not being paid their usual salaries.
STORY-LINE:
This should be a busy time of year for Sanaa's livestock market.
But the Eid al-Adha festivities are not what they used to be.
Traditionally, Yemenis flock here to buy a sacrificial animal for the holiday.
But the rising costs are proving unaffordable for many.
"The livestock are available but they are very, very expensive. The income of an average Yemeni citizen barely covers his needs, therefore it is not enough to buy a small sheep these days," says Ahmed Al-Seyaghy, a Yemeni citizen.
"This year, the prices are higher than usual. What we used to buy for 30 (thousand rials - 120 US dollars) is now for 50 or 60 thousand rials (200-240 US dollars)."
The country's ongoing conflict has wreaked havoc with the economy.
The expenses for raising animals have risen - a cost the farmers must pass on to their customers.
But many of those customers have had salary payments delayed or lost their jobs completely.
Only the lucky few can afford to buy an animal.
"We cannot afford these prices. How can we celebrate the feast in these conditions?" asks Saleh Ge-eid.
"I just came to the market but I will probably leave empty handed, I can't afford to buy anything."
The war pits Yemen's internationally recognised government and a Saudi-led coalition against the Shiite rebels known as Houthis, who are allied with army units loyal to a former president.
The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes in Yemen since March 2015.
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