NYN | News
The province of Al-Mahra witnessed on Tuesday an escalation of civilian protests over what the Peaceful Sit-in Committee of the province’s residents described as “restrictive policies.” These include the closure of Nishtun Port and the increase of customs fees at land crossings such as Shahn and Sarfait, leading to stagnation in commercial activity and higher transportation costs for goods.
This came during a meeting held by the committee, chaired by Sheikh Ali Salem Al-Huraizi, to discuss the deteriorating economic and public service conditions. Al-Huraizi and committee members reviewed the impact of recent government decisions on citizens’ lives and public services—particularly electricity, water, and healthcare—as well as rising food prices and the suspension of salaries.
Sheikh Al-Huraizi affirmed that Al-Mahra had enjoyed relative stability in services before the arrival of foreign forces in late 2017, noting that the current situation reflects the province’s “price” for maintaining its firm stance on national sovereignty. He added that the people of Al-Mahra reject policies aimed at subjecting the province to occupation and its local instruments through an appointed government.
The meeting also discussed the recent document concerning anti-smuggling measures in Al-Mahra and Hadhramaut, describing it as unclear and not endorsed by most tribal leaders of the province. Participants called for any measures or documents to be issued transparently and with the consent of local dignitaries, reiterating their rejection of all forms of smuggling.
Al-Huraizi further called for empowering the people of Al-Mahra to manage their own resources and local ports, and to direct revenues toward supporting the health, education, and public service sectors—ensuring a dignified standard of living in accordance with the law and national regulations.
