10 Aug 2018 | 11:58 PM UTC
Yemen: Anti-government protest held in Aden over rising prices August 9
Anti-Yemeni-government protest held in Aden August 9 over rising prices and poor standards of living, with demonstrators obstructing roads; related protests expected in the coming days
Event
Dozens of protesters staged an anti-Yemeni-government demonstration in Aden on Thursday, August 9, denouncing rising prices of basic goods and poor standards of living. Protesters reportedly obstructed roads in Mansoura district and burned tires on Thursday morning (local time). Additional related protests are expected in Aden and elsewhere in Yemen, particularly in Abyan province, in the coming days.
Context
Protests have recently been staged in Aden and Zinjibar (Abyan province) over poor economic and living conditions and rising prices of food and other basic goods due to the recent devaluation of the Yemeni rial (YER). The Southern Transitional Council (STC), in control of Aden since January 2018, has blamed the Yemeni government for initiating a "severe economic, political, and social crisis [in southern Yemen]" through corruption and lack of coordination with the Arab coalition, which has been at war with the rival Houthi rebel movement since 2015.
Advice
Individuals in Aden are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
