Activists and observers have condemned the Houthi militia's attempts to exploit public protests in the liberated areas concerning the deteriorating electricity service. The Houthi movement has intensified its focus on the electricity crisis and resulting demonstrations in these regions.
Houthi leaders, media outlets, and activists have been amplifying discussions about the electricity crisis and public protests in the liberated areas, which are demanding urgent government solutions. This intensified focus coincides with the summer season and rising temperatures, exacerbating the issue.
The Houthi militia's engagement with the crisis appears aimed at exaggerating the problem and portraying the situation in the liberated territories as catastrophic. This strategy seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the internationally recognized government and bolster the militia's image as a successful administrator of its controlled territories, highlighting the absence of public protests there.
However, activists and media professionals argue that the lack of public dissent in Houthi-controlled areas is due to severe security crackdowns and violent repression, not improved conditions. They contend that regions under Houthi control suffer from more dire conditions across various sectors compared to liberated areas, largely because the militia has abdicated its responsibilities as an de facto authority responsible for salaries and essential services, including electricity, since its 2015 coup.
These critics point out that since 2015, Houthi-controlled areas have relied on electricity provided by the militia at exorbitant rates, ranging from 170 to 220 old Yemeni Riyals per kilowatt-hour, equivalent to approximately 500 to 650 new Riyals. This is in stark contrast to the government tariff in liberated areas, which remains at 9 Riyals.
Furthermore, the electricity service tariffs imposed by the Houthi militia reportedly double the actual cost of electricity production using diesel or mazut. This has transformed the service into a significant source of revenue for the militia, at the expense of the Yemeni population in their controlled territories. Despite these high costs, the Houthi militia struggles to provide continuous electricity, particularly in coastal cities like Hodeidah.
Activists from Hodeidah have revealed a severe electricity crisis in the city, with daily power outages exceeding 12 hours. This occurs despite the exorbitant fees citizens pay for the service. Residents have also reported recent bills showing higher amounts and increased recorded consumption, fueling suspicions of manipulation and exploitation by the militia during the summer heat. The ongoing electricity tragedy in Hodeidah, activists state, exposes the Houthi militia's "crocodile tears" shed for the suffering in liberated areas.
