Popular demonstration accuses UAE of spreading drugs in Shabwa

SHABWA, June 22 (YPA) – The city of Nisab in the oil-rich Shabwa province, in southeast Yemen, witnessed a large popular demonstration on Saturday to denounce the dangers of the spread of hashish and other drugs in the province’s districts.

During the demonstration, which toured the streets of the Nisab district center, participants called on young people to protect themselves from the scourge of “shabu” drug abuse, which has devastating effects on their lives and futures.

The demonstrators also held up banners demanding that local authorities loyal to the Saudi-led coalition and leaders of UAE-backed factions assume their responsibilities to curb the drug trade and prosecute those involved.

Participants noted that the situation in the Nisab area has become unbearable, as young people have been continuously targeted by drug dealers in recent years, posing a serious threat to an entire generation and society as a whole.

Some participants accused leaders of UAE-backed factions of colluding with drug trafficking networks and providing them with cover and security protection in exchange for foreign currency payments.

In a related context, drug trafficking and smuggling are expanding significantly in Shabwa and other southern provinces under the control of UAE- and Saudi-backed factions. Some areas have become centers for the distribution of drugs and hashish.

Observers believe that drug smuggling networks are a means used by the UAE to destroy youth and society in areas under the coalition’s control, serving its military and economic interests.

YPA