Barran Press
The Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, has hailed the completion of the first phase of the Al-Abar international road rehabilitation, calling it a "road of life" for millions of Yemenis.
In a tweet on Thursday, Al-Jaber highlighted the Saudi program for the development and reconstruction of Yemen's role in the project. He emphasized that work is ongoing on further stages, promising improved safety and efficiency for travelers.
The ambassador accompanied his post with footage showcasing the newly rehabilitated road, with vehicles smoothly traversing the previously hazardous route.
The Al-Abar Road, a vital artery connecting Yemen's provinces and linking the country to Saudi Arabia, has become increasingly crucial since the outbreak of war. The road's significance has been amplified due to the closure of other routes and suspension of airports.
The road's narrowness and deterioration, exacerbated by heavy traffic, including commercial carriers and trucks, had led to numerous accidents and fatalities in recent years. While local authorities in Marib and Al-Jawf provinces attempted maintenance, they were unable to fully address the safety concerns.
The Saudi program's initiative to expand and rehabilitate the 132 km-long road, launched in February 2020, is seen as a crucial step towards improving transportation safety and facilitating trade and travel between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.