Extreme heat in Aden fuels public anger over worsening power outages

ADEN, June 16 (YPA) – Popular protests continued in Aden for a second consecutive week as residents voiced anger over ongoing deterioration of electricity services, with daily outages exceeding 12 hours amid a severe heatwave where temperatures have surpassed 45°C.

The persistent blackouts have deepened residents’ suffering and pushed humanitarian and public health conditions to critical levels, particularly among the elderly and children. Local reports say dozens of deaths have been recorded in recent weeks as the crisis worsens.

Dozens of young protesters from Aden’s Al-Mansoura district took to the streets to denounce power cuts that have left residential neighborhoods without electricity for more than 14 hours a day, with little sign of improvement.

Demonstrators called for the departure of Saudi forces from the city, describing the collapse of basic services, particularly electricity, as a form of “collective punishment” imposed on residents by Saudi Arabia and the its  puppet government.

Mohammed Al-Musbbahi, media official at the Electricity Ministry of the Saudi-backed government, said electricity demand in Aden stands at 686.6 megawatts, while actual output is 255.8 megawatts during daytime hours and 193.6 megawatts at night, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 493 megawatts.

Al-Musbbahi said the expected Saudi fuel grant would only serve as a stopgap measure to prevent a full collapse of the summer power system, and would not constitute a structural or long-term solution to Aden’s electricity crisis.

Despite recurring annual protests over deteriorating electricity services, residents say there has been no improvement since 2016, with the crisis steadily worsening year after year.

is worth noting that The Saudi-backed government allocates approximately $1.2 billion annually to the electricity sector, including fuel procurement and power plant leasing, although residents of Aden and other areas report no tangible impact from this expenditure on the ground.

@E.Y.M