Barran Press
HADRAMAWT, Yemen In the past few hours, several cities in Hadramawt Governorate have witnessed angry demonstrations and motorcycle rallies in response to the collapse of the national currency and a decline in public services.
In Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt, a symbolic women's march took to the streets this morning, demanding the resignation of Governor Mabkhout bin Madi due to rising prices and deteriorating services. This comes amidst ongoing protests over the worsening living conditions and economic collapse, with residents feeling ignored by local officials.
Protesters have been blocking main roads and burning tires to express their frustration over the deteriorating services. On the night of October 23, a motorcycle rally took place in Shahir, part of the Ghayl Bawazir district, organized as a protest against the worsening economic situation and the electricity crisis, while also showing support for the escalating actions of the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance.
Participants in the rally displayed flags and slogans from the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance and the Hadramawt Comprehensive Conference, voicing their dissatisfaction with the economic decline and inadequate salaries for public employees. A similar motorcycle rally occurred in Ghayl Bawazir, where residents protested against the collapse of basic services, the devaluation of the local currency, and the local government's failure to manage service-related issues and allegations of corruption.
Protesters urged the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance to take further escalatory measures in response to the government's neglect of citizens' needs. They chanted slogans criticizing the electricity system's collapse and the local authorities' inability to address this vital service's decline.
Earlier on Wednesday, a motorcycle rally also took place in the coastal city of Al-Shahr, drawing large crowds of youth and residents. Following the rally, demonstrators held a public event in Al-Aidrus Square, denouncing the alarming deterioration of services, particularly electricity, and the overall living conditions of citizens.
Students from local schools also closed the international road connecting east and west, demanding electricity access by burning tires as a form of protest against the ongoing electricity crisis.
In response to the unrest, the security forces in Al-Shahr urged citizens to "exercise restraint and avoid chaos, vandalism, or blocking roads and government institutions." They stated they would not tolerate actions that threatened the security and stability of the area.
The security forces also warned against disrupting schools and drawing students into demonstrations, emphasizing the need to maintain the educational process. They pledged to take legal action against those deemed lawbreakers and troublemakers attempting to plunge Hadramawt into chaos.