Throughout this region, people are talking and spreading true and not-to-true stories about the infiltrators from across the border. After their children go to school, mothers prepare Arabic coffee and sweets - known as gogolan – and talk with other mothers about what is happening. In particular, they want to know about their sons who are involved in the fighting. Zahra Hussein, a Saudi housewife living in Abu Arish, said that she always wants to be up-to-date with the news, which she gathers from the media and her friends. “I try to gather news every morning about what is happening on the border and what people say about the Saudi soldiers because my son is participating in the conflict,” said Hussein. “When my son calls me, I ask him how he is coping and about the situation on the border.” Schoolgirls also play a role in spreading news about the conflict. Maryam Ali, a student at Ahad Al-Masareha High School for Girls, said that when the confrontation started, her schoolmates started spreading the rumor that the infiltrators had arrived in the area. However, she found out that this was “totally untrue.” “Women like to talk more than men because they don't have anything to do except talk about rumors,” she said. Male youths do a lot of talking about the situation too, Saudi Gazette has found. They sit together every day in diwanyah or magles - guest rooms – and try to show each other that they have the latest news. “Whenever I go to the Jizan region, I hear lies and rumors about the infiltrators,” said Abdullah Mubarakey, a Saudi citizen living in Raashah village. Mubarakey said he hates lies and rumors because it is against the teachings of Islam. “What does it benefit any of us to spread such rumors? I think it will only increase the tension between people in Jizan,” he added. His friend Adel has a different opinion. “We must spread the rumors and stories because we live here and we all want to know what is going on at the border,” he said. Mohamed Saleh, a student at Jizan University, said that he does not care about these stories because most people who talk about it are unemployed and have nothing better to do. Retired older people are also talking about the conflict. Yousef Ahmed, a 65-year-old retired soldier, said that he sits talking about the situation every day with his friends. “We must exchange the latest news because we are retired soldiers. Many of us hope to get the chance to participate in this confrontation as volunteers.” Children are also talking about the infiltrators in their playgrounds. Nawaf Ahmed, who is ten years old, said that he would like to join the army to protect his village from the infiltrators. “I hope to fight in the Dokhan Mountain and kill at least ten infiltrators. I have a brave heart and I love this country,” he said. Ahmad's friend Yousef Alsafhi, who is 12 years old, from Al-Ghwediyah village said that he dreamt he was a soldier fighting in the war. “After I killed many of the infiltrators, Prince Khaled Bin Sultan rewarded me is my dream,” he said. “While I was playing with my friends in the playground, I told my friend Nawaf about my dream and he started laughing,” said Yousef.
