"Al-Abr Road": Transforming a Lethal Labyrinth into a Lifesaving Path through Saudi Interventions

On September 10, 2023, a horrific traffic accident claimed the lives of seven individuals on the internationally recognized "Marib-Al-Abr-Al-Wadi'ah" road in Hadhramaut Governorate, located in eastern Yemen. Spanning approximately 132 kilometers, the road has become notorious for its treacherous conditions.

According to press reports at the time, the bodies of the deceased were transported to a hospital morgue in Hadhramaut. The victims were identified as Najeeb Saleh Al-Madhaji, Noman Ahmed Al-Madhaji, Ahmed Saeed Al-Eryani, Marwan Hassan Al-Shawafi, Abdul Qadir Abdul Latif Al-Shawafi, Thabet Abdullah Al-Raimi, and Jalal Muhammad Al-Najjar.

Tragically, on December 28, 2028, the same road witnessed another fatal accident, resulting in the deaths of six passengers and injuring approximately 37 others. The incident occurred when a bus, carrying pilgrims embarking on the Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, overturned.

For decades, the "Marib-Al-Abr-Al-Wadi'ah" road has remained neglected, devoid of any maintenance, rehabilitation, or expansion efforts to accommodate the growing number of travelers. Consequently, crossing this route has become perilous, leaving Yemenis with no choice but to utilize it due to the absence of viable alternatives.

Over the past decade, Yemenis have come to associate this road with terms like the "road of perdition" or the "road of death." It poses a constant threat to travelers, whether they are arriving from abroad through the Al-Wadiah land border crossings with Saudi Arabia and the Shihn border crossings with the Sultanate of Oman, or departing via the Sayun International Airport.

Official statistics regarding the number of tragic accidents on this road are unavailable, but estimates suggest dozens of incidents have occurred, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Moreover, the lack of health and service facilities along the route exacerbates the dire situation.

With the escalation of the conflict following the Houthi group's invasion of the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and the subsequent closure of other land crossings with Saudi Arabia, the "Path of Lessons" has emerged as a vital lifeline connecting Yemen to the outside world.

Aside from facilitating the travel of Yemeni citizens abroad through the eastern governorates, the "Al-Abr Road" serves as a crucial artery for the transportation of imported goods via land and sea ports in Al-Mahra and Hadhramaut. Hundreds of trucks laden with goods traverse this road daily.

However, the road's narrow width coupled with its numerous deep potholes has transformed it into a perilous ordeal. What should have served as a means for Yemenis to meet their needs has become a grave danger, constantly threatening their lives and property. Tragic accidents occur almost daily, often resulting in human casualties.

Given the road's considerable length, there are no mobile patrols available to assist accident victims or provide immediate medical aid. Consequently, victims are left with no option but to wait for a passing vehicle to transport them to the cities of Sayun in Hadhramaut, a distance of at least 400 kilometers, or to Marib. The extended waiting time, combined with the lack of medical aid, significantly reduces the chances of survival, particularly for those with severe injuries.

These accidents frequently involve collisions between large commercial trucks and regular cars, often carrying more than five passengers. This places all occupants at grave risk of death, further compounding the severity of the situation.

Yemeni voices of discontent have been growing louder with each passing traffic accident, as government authorities in the Ma'rib and Hadramaut governorates have made minimal efforts to address the issue, merely filling potholes. Meanwhile, the internationally recognized Yemeni government laments its limited resources due to the Houthi coup and the ongoing war waged against it.

On September 13, 2021, the "Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen" initiated a project aimed at expanding and rehabilitating Al-Abr Road. The project's objective is to mitigate the dangers and damages resulting from the road's deterioration and the absence of fundamental safety measures. In the inauguration statement, it was highlighted that the project would facilitate transportation and commercial activities, reduce accident rates, enhance safety levels, and promote connectivity between cities. The estimated cost of the project stands at approximately 36 million Saudi riyals.

Recently, the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Muhammad Al Jaber, announced the completion of the first phase of the Al-Abr Road rehabilitation, which commenced on February 24, 2020, covering a stretch of 132 kilometers. Preparations are currently underway for the launch of the second phase, which involves the expansion and rehabilitation of the Al-Dhuwaibi-Al-Abr sector.

The initial phase, as per the program's announcement, encompassed surveying and design work. The project's scope includes the rehabilitation of three sections: the Al-Makhtham-Ghawairban section spanning 40 kilometers, the Ghawairban-Al-Dhuwaibi section covering 40 kilometers, and the Al-Dhuwaibi-Al-Abr section extending over 52 kilometers.

Marking the conclusion of the first phase, Al Jaber took to his X platform account, and in a tweet monitored by Barran Press, stated that the Al-Abr road has now become a "lifeline" - a stark contrast to its previous status as a perilous route plagued by fatal accidents.

The announcement of the Saudi program has been met with widespread satisfaction among Yemenis, who view this project as a reprieve from the nightmare that has persistently haunted their lives, claiming the lives of their loved ones daily.

Yemeni comments unanimously agree that the intervention of the "Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen" in rehabilitating the Al-Abr Road stands as one of the most crucial vital projects, effectively transforming this treacherous route from a "death trap" into a "lifeline."

The Al-Abr Road rehabilitation project falls within the ambit of the "Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen's" initiatives aimed at repairing roads across Yemen, encompassing regions such as Taiz, Al-Mahra, and Hadhramaut. These efforts are part of the program's broader objective to develop and repair Yemen's infrastructure.

Operating in collaboration with the Yemeni government and local authorities, the "Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen" focuses on seven fundamental sectors. It works diligently to assess the needs of Yemenis in all governorates, using this information as a basis for selecting development projects.