A trip to Yohmor
Reporting from South Lebanon
August 27th, 2006
Hicham Takache
In the afternoon, I took my family and made a tour to the neighboring villages and towns to survey the war damage. Yohmor in particular was badly hit. This small village overlooking the Litani River was bombed mercilessly by all types of ammunition; from artillery shells, to cluster bombs, to smart bombs shot from Apache helicopters and F16 fighter jets. The damage is extensive and incredible.
Whole sectors of the village were raised to the ground. In all, 363 houses were destroyed. Streets are cut off, trees blown to pieces, holes in the ground are large enough to swallow a truck, cars are burned and turned in twisted metal, home furniture is scattered around, electricity lines are exposed, dried tobacco leaves appear from underneath the rubble. Yet the village is full with its residents. Tents have been erected next to each destroyed house. Children are playing around knowing very well that fields are full with cluster bombs that have claimed so many innocent little lives so far from Yohmor alone.
This village was on the front line during the ground battles of Taibeh project; where Israeli special forces tried many times to push their tanks through to get to the Litani River – to no avail. One of the main reasons for their failure was the Resistance artillery positions in Yohmor outskirts preventing these mighty tanks from getting close to the Litani waters. Two martyrs from the resistance as well as a number of civilians rose to heaven from Yohmor. The part of the village where they fell has become a ghost town. Nothing was left standing. Yet the view of the valley where the tanks attempted to penetrate is surreal. It is so rugged, so steep and so beautiful.
Stories for generations to come have been written over these rocks, in the rubble of these houses, between the broken trees and in the blood spilled over its soil. Heroism has become a second nature in this land.
Driving back to Nabatieh, I passed by Arnoon, Kfra-Tibnit and Nabatieh-al-Fawka. The destruction scenes were nothing near extensive. Yet the number of martyrs from these towns was much larger than that of Yohmor. On my way I drove to the outskirts of Kfar-Tibnit overlooking the Litani River from the northern side. I saw Qlaya’a, Marjeyoun, Debbine and Mahmoudieh. Names that have become familiar with anyone who followed the news.
I used to look at this breathtaking landscape with an eye keen to its beauty. Now it looks even more beautiful. Its hills look much taller. Its canyons appear as high peaks. Its deep valleys are impenetrable by enemies and so friendly to its inhabitants.
The mighty Litani flows now with pride and dignity. No enemy solider can dip his boot in its water. Only our kids will cool their heat in its water during the hot summer days of July and August.
As you read along you feel pain yet a lot of pride . That is who we are…..and more
Comment by SAWSAN ATOUI — November 17th, 2006 @ 4:06 PMsalam
Comment by sabeh mustapha — August 24th, 2008 @ 6:07 PMuder all the damage picture have you seen ,yohmor will grow up like the dreams of our childrens ,no force can kill the audor of our flowers