Severe gas crisis hits Aden, paralyzing transport, services

ADEN, Aug. 05 (YPA) – A worsening shortage of domestic cooking gas in the city of Aden has intensified living burdens on residents and caused partial paralysis in the transportation and commercial service sectors.

This comes amid widespread complaints of difficulty in obtaining gas cylinders and a thriving black market, despite the presence of key oil and gas fields and projects in provinces under Saudi control (Marib, Shabwa, and Hadramout).

Local sources reported that thousands of families are facing long queues in front of distribution centers or are forced to purchase gas at inflated prices on the black market. The repercussions of the crisis have extended to buses and taxis that rely on gas as fuel, leading to a decrease in available transportation, congested stations, and higher commuting fares between districts. Furthermore, dozens of restaurants and bakeries have been forced to reduce their operating hours and production.

On social media, activists attributed the recurring crisis to distribution management imbalances, the absence of a strategic reserve, and the leakage of quantities into the black market.

They pointed out the stark contrast between living conditions and declining services on the one hand, and the country’s vast potential on the other—noting major production sectors such as “SAFER” and the “Balhaf” liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, along with reserves exceeding 18 trillion cubic feet—viewing the continuation of the crisis as evidence of failure in managing resources and service sectors.

YPA