Yemen has officially reported only one case of the coronavirus, but there are reports that other cases are being kept under wraps so as not to discourage potential fighters from joining the war.

“The commander told us that the safest place from the virus is the front line. Allah is on our side there and if we die we are going to be martyrs, heroes, and our families will be given money. After all, the virus has not reached [Houthi-controlled] Sanaa yet, and bullets are much faster than the coronavirus’ slow suffocation death,” a young man on his way to join Houthi fighters in Marib told Al-Monitor.

But the virus apparently has reached Sanaa, the capital. Four suspected coronavirus cases were identified in the first week of April and the patients have been in isolation at the Movenpick Hotel in the city, according to a medical professional who has been working with the teams handling the cases. This information was shared reluctantly and anonymously, cautioning against exposing their identity.

“The cases must remain a secret. If the Houthis find out the news has leaked, there will be severe consequences. They don’t want the people — especially potential fighters — to be scared and distracted from the main cause, which is winning the war against the Saudis and their Yemeni allies,” he said.