Aden: Angry Protests Erupt, Roads Blocked Over Collapse of Electricity System

Angry protests erupted on Sunday evening in the districts of Al-Mualla and Al-Mansoura in Yemen’s temporary capital, Aden, in response to the unprecedented deterioration of electricity services and the sharp increase in power outages, which have reached record levels.

Eyewitnesses reported that enraged protesters blocked major roads and burned used tires in both districts, temporarily disrupting traffic. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding that the Presidential Leadership Council, the government, and the Arab Coalition implement urgent and comprehensive solutions to the worsening crisis.

The escalation in public protests came after electricity outages reached 11 consecutive hours per day, compared to only two hours of service, further exacerbating the already unbearable hardships faced by residents.

The protests coincided with an intense heatwave and exceptionally high humidity levels across the coastal governorate of Aden, turning homes into what residents described as “ovens” and worsening suffering, particularly among the elderly, children, and those with medical conditions.

The electricity sector in Aden has long experienced recurring deterioration with the onset of each summer season. Citizens and labor unions have repeatedly called on the relevant authorities to ensure adequate fuel supplies for power-generation stations and carry out essential maintenance work as a minimum measure to alleviate the growing hardships endured by the population.