Yemen’s Fragile Ramadan: Aid, Clashes & Lingering Crisis in Aden

Aden, Yemen – The scent of spices and the chatter of shoppers filled the streets of Aden last week, as families prepared for Ramadan. Abu Amjad, a 35-year-old teacher, was able to buy new clothes for his children, Amjad, 10, and Mona, 7 – a tradition cherished in Yemen, and a sign that life in the port city was, tentatively, improving. This modest joy, though, was quickly overshadowed by the familiar sound of gunfire, a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in a country grappling with years of conflict.

The recent return of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, to Aden after ousting the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has brought a degree of stability and improved basic services. Saudi financial support, including the payment of public sector salaries, has been instrumental in this initial progress. Yet, the underlying tensions remain, threatening to unravel the fragile gains. The incident near al-Maashiq Palace, where security forces opened fire on protesters, underscores the deep divisions and the potential for renewed unrest.

A Government’s Precarious Hold

Yemen’s Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani has prioritized stabilizing Aden and other government-controlled areas. His government’s return from Riyadh marks a significant shift in the power dynamics within Yemen. The STC’s advance in eastern Yemen late last year, backed by the United Arab Emirates, was viewed as a red line by Saudi Arabia, prompting a decisive military response that restored government control.

The current strategy focuses on bolstering the government’s position by improving living conditions in the south and east, aiming to erode support for both the STC and the Houthi rebels who control northwestern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa since 2014. This approach is heavily reliant on continued Saudi financial and logistical support. The hope is that visible improvements will translate into increased public trust and legitimacy for the government.

Lights On, Markets Busy: A Glimmer of Normalcy

Abdulrahman Mansour, a bus driver in Aden’s Khormaksar district, described a palpable difference this Ramadan. “When I spot the lights on and the markets busy on Ramadan nights in Aden, it feels like a different city. The improvement is undeniable,” he told Al Jazeera. The consistent provision of electricity, a service long disrupted by the conflict, is a particularly welcome change. “This reminds me of the pre-war time. We used to take that service for granted,” Mansour added. The return of reliable electricity has revitalized the city’s nighttime economy and encouraged social activity.

Yemeni Electricity Minister Adnan al-Kaf confirmed that efforts to enhance electricity services are ongoing, attributing recent improvements to Saudi support over the past two months. This support is not merely about restoring infrastructure; it’s about demonstrating the government’s ability to deliver basic services, a crucial step in rebuilding trust and stability.

Wafiq Saleh, a Yemeni economic researcher, noted the tangible improvements in living standards in Aden and southern Yemen, largely due to Saudi financial assistance and the restoration of essential services like water and electricity. He emphasized, however, that these gains are not the result of inherent economic reforms within the Yemeni government. “The recent Saudi financial support has been remarkably generous, and it can help the government during this period by enabling it to work on reactivating dormant resources, resuming oil exports, combating corruption, and improving the efficiency of revenue collection with transparency and good governance,” Saleh explained to Al Jazeera.

The Cooking Gas Crisis: A Persistent Challenge

Despite the improvements in electricity, other essential services remain severely strained. The shortage of cooking gas continues to be a major concern for Aden residents. Families spend hours queuing at stations, hoping to secure a few liters of gas. “Going from one station to another in search of cooking gas even as fasting is exhausting,” said Fawaz Ahmed, a resident of Khormaksar district. The crisis is particularly acute during Ramadan, when demand surges.

Gas distributors attribute the shortage to insufficient supplies from Marib province in northern Yemen, highlighting the logistical challenges and ongoing disruptions caused by the conflict. This scarcity not only adds to the daily hardships faced by families but likewise underscores the limitations of the current improvements.

Undercurrents of Instability and the STC’s Response

The incident involving security forces and protesters near al-Maashiq Palace, resulting in at least one fatality, serves as a stark warning of the fragility of the situation. Majed al-Daari, editor-in-chief of the independent Yemeni news site Maraqiboun Press, described the situation in Aden as “very worrying.” “What happened to the demonstrators at the start of Ramadan underscores the fragility of the political and security situation. Tensions are set to continue,” al-Daari said.

The STC, which continues to mobilize its supporters against the government, views the recent events as an opportunity to regain lost ground. The council issued a statement condemning what it described as raids and arbitrary arrests targeting participants in the protests, vowing to intensify its opposition. The New Arab reported on the ongoing tensions and the STC’s rejection of the new government’s legitimacy.

The situation in Aden is further complicated by the broader geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE’s support for the STC has been a key factor in the conflict, and the deepening rift between the two Gulf powers has exacerbated the instability in Yemen. CNBC reported on the closure of Aden airport in January 2026, a direct consequence of this escalating tension.

What’s Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

We see confirmed that the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has re-established a presence in Aden and is working to improve basic services. Saudi financial support is demonstrably contributing to these improvements, particularly in the provision of electricity. The STC remains a significant political and military force in southern Yemen and continues to oppose the government. The incident near al-Maashiq Palace confirms the ongoing tensions and the potential for violence.

However, the long-term sustainability of the current improvements remains unclear. The extent to which the Yemeni government can implement meaningful economic reforms and reduce its reliance on Saudi support is uncertain. The future trajectory of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and its impact on Yemen, is also unpredictable. The true extent of the STC’s support base and its ability to mobilize further unrest remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead: A Delicate Balance

The coming weeks and months will be critical for Yemen. The government faces the daunting task of consolidating its authority, addressing the ongoing economic challenges, and navigating the complex political landscape. Maintaining the flow of Saudi financial assistance will be crucial, as will efforts to foster dialogue and reconciliation with various factions, including the STC.

The success of these efforts will depend on a delicate balance of political maneuvering, economic pragmatism, and a commitment to inclusive governance. For Abu Amjad and the people of Aden, the hope for a peaceful and prosperous Ramadan – and a more stable future – hangs in the balance.