NYN | News
The escalation of popular protests in Aden has led to a complete paralysis of traffic and daily life, as citizens have taken to the streets to condemn rising prices, prolonged power outages, and low wages that are unable to meet even the minimum living standards.
The protests have spread to the neighboring governorate of Abyan, where hundreds have joined the movement, demanding that the authorities take urgent action to address the escalating economic crises. This comes amid warnings of worsening humanitarian conditions due to the continued failure to find solutions.
Local sources reported that main streets in Aden were nearly completely shut down, with a heavy presence of security forces attempting to contain the escalation, while protesters raised slogans calling for “social justice” and “fundamental solutions” to the electricity and price crises.
This comes at a time when the internationally recognized Yemeni government is facing sharp criticism for the failure of its economic reform plans. Official sources attribute the crises to the “exceptional circumstances” the country is experiencing.
Political observers believe that the continued expansion of the protests—especially with the inclusion of new groups—could exert unprecedented pressure on the internationally recognized Yemeni government, as accusations of “administrative failure” in handling chronic crises, such as the collapse of the local currency and the deterioration of basic services, have led wide sectors of the population to lose confidence in the government’s ability to manage the crisis.
Warnings are rising that the intensification of popular anger—which has spread beyond Aden and Abyan to other governorates—could lead to scenarios whose consequences would be difficult to contain. The situation could even lead to the downfall of Al-Alimi’s council, especially as the government continues to fail to provide tangible solutions despite its repeated promises of urgent economic reforms.
