Homes in Taiz are mostly scattered across the slopes, but many have been abandoned by families fleeing the fighting.
Twice, we try to visit the neighbourhood where Rafeef and her family live, but a community leader advises us it is too dangerous.
On the first occasion, residents of the neighbourhood tell us that three people have been shot by snipers. On the second, we are told of another shooting.
At Rafeef’s school, one of the teachers, Abdel Raqeeb al-Obaidi, 45, takes us on to the rooftop to show us what he says are Houthi military camps, barracks and sniper positions in the mountains.
Standing on the rooftop, a Yemeni security adviser accompanying us suddenly tells us to go back inside. We are visible from these positions and could be shot, he says.
Abdel Raqeeb laughs, acknowledging the danger. He says the school has been fired on before.
“The situation may explode at any moment while we are sitting in class or sleeping or we are in school or we are out on the street. We do not know how our future is and how tomorrow is.”
For Abdel Raqeeb, the risk has become routine. His familiarity with it is unsettling.
