Massive Protests in Occupied Lahj Condemning Deterioration of Services, High Prices

Protesters cut off major roads linking Lahj with Aden and Taiz on Monday, denouncing the power outages, the deterioration of services and the high prices, local sources confirmed.

The sources indicated that the protesters set fire to damaged tires in the middle of the main road between Aden and Lahj in the Saber area, south of the Tuban district, to condemn the power outage and the insane rise in commodity prices, as a result of the economic collapse.

Al-Mashahid website quoted the protesters as confirming that the power outages reached more than 20 hours per day in the district’s areas, amid high temperatures.

They pointed out that this matter exacerbated the suffering of the citizens, in addition to the damage to their electrical appliances as a result of the weakness of the electric current.

 “The suffering has reached an extent that cannot be tolerated, in light of the presence of many cases of chronic diseases and elderly people who are disabled,” the citizens added.

The Yemeni riyal continued its collapse against foreign currencies in the governorates under the control of the US-Saudi aggression and occupation, reaching over 1400 riyals per dollar.

Banking sources in Aden indicated that foreign exchange rates witnessed an increase for the fifth day in a row, as the exchange rate of the US dollar rose to 1414 Yemeni riyals, and the Saudi riyal to 373 Yemeni riyals.

Economists attributed the continued collapse of the local currency to several factors, including the deepening of corruption in the pro-aggression government, in addition to the impact of the news circulating about the near depletion of foreign exchange reserves at the Central Bank in Aden.

Observers are increasingly warning of the repercussions of this collapse, which has already been reflected in the prices of various commodities, foremost of which are the prices of foodstuffs and medicines. Their prices have increased during the past two days by nearly 10%.

The Saudi-backed government continues to take economic measures that directly affect the service and living conditions of the Yemeni People, especially in the southern regions, and exacerbate their disastrous suffering as a result of the US-Saudi siege and aggression.