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What Are the Legitimate Yemeni Govt’s Messages from Bab al-Mandab Visit?

Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the legitimate government ride in boats the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (AFP)
Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the legitimate government ride in boats the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (AFP)
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What Are the Legitimate Yemeni Govt’s Messages from Bab al-Mandab Visit?

Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the legitimate government ride in boats the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (AFP)
Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the legitimate government ride in boats the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (AFP)

Deputy head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Aidarous al-Zubaidi and Defense Minister Mohsen al-Daeri visited the Bab al-Mandab district and Mayyun island in the Red Sea.

The significant development took place as the United States on Tuesday launched a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea as attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militias forced major shipping companies to reroute, fueling concern over sustained disruptions to global trade.

Zubaidi met with commanders of the Arab coalition forces on Mayyun, hailing the major role the alliance has played in securing the region and supporting efforts to restore normal life there, reported the state news agency Saba.

He toured several vital projects underway on the island, including the construction of Mayyun airport, a desalination plant and residential unit that is being built with the support of the United Arab Emirates.

Zubaidi’s press secretary Ali al-Hadyani told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit to Bab al-Mandab and Mayyun aims to deliver two messages.

"The first is that this vital region, which is located on one of the world’s most important marine shipping and trade routes, is a sovereign part of the nation and we will protect and defend it with all our might," he declared.

"We will not let it slip through our fingers no matter the challenges and hardships," he added, vowing to confront the dangers threatening these regions.

The second message is that the visit by the PLC deputy leader sends a signal that "we are part of the regional and international communities," he went on to say.

"Our presence here is a sign that we are part of Arab national security. Bab al-Mandab and its islands are an integral part of Arab national security. We will cooperate with our brothers in the Arab coalition to protect these regions and deter any threats," he vowed.

"We will always be part of the Arab fold ... and we will be prepared to be part of any coalition that will be formed to protect this vital waterway," he stated.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was on a trip to Bahrain, said Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain were among nations involved in the Red Sea security operation.

The group, widely dubbed in media reports a "task force," will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the adjacent Gulf of Aden.

"This is an international challenge that demands collective action," Austin said in a statement, announcing the initiative as "Operation Prosperity Guardian." He called on other countries to contribute as he condemned "reckless Houthi actions".

The Red Sea is linked to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal, which creates the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia. About 12% of world shipping traffic transits the canal.

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Iran's Businesses Bear Brunt of Daily Power Blackouts

Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
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Iran's Businesses Bear Brunt of Daily Power Blackouts

Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP

Baristas and servers linger outside a cafe in Tehran, smoking and chatting, as scheduled daytime power cuts due to energy shortages plunge businesses in Iran's capital into the dark.

"When the power is out, we are almost completely out of service," said Ali, a 30-year-old employee, of the nationwide rolling electricity outages imposed daily since November 11.

"We use mostly electrical equipment here in the cafe such as an electric oven and espresso machine," he told AFP, asking that only his first name be used.
Years of Western sanctions and a lack of investment in infrastructure have exacerbated the situation, especially during peak consumption months in summer and winter.

To deal with the shortages, the government has introduced two-hour blackouts, which rotate between various neighbourhoods in cities between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

President Masoud Pezeshkian attributed the decision to "low fuel reserves", saying Iran must "adjust the fuel for power plants so that we do not face problems in winter".

- 'Poison' -

Fatemeh Mohajerani, government spokeswoman, said power cuts were necessary to cut down on a relatively cheap low-quality fuel -- known as mazout -- used at some older-generation power plants.

The heavy fuel oil has been used for years to address power shortages despite its emissions causing heavy air pollution.

She said the public would need to deal with blackouts for a limited time, to find an alternative to what she described as "poison".

"It is unfair that part of the society should pay with their lives for the production of electricity," she added.

But for Mona, another employee at the cafe in Tehran -- home to about 10 million people -- it isn't worth the cost.

"The government says it has stopped burning mazut in a number of power plants in other cities, but we need to pay for that in Tehran," the 36-year-old told AFP.

Repeated power cuts have angered citizens of the Islamic republic in recent years, especially during the hot summer months.

In July, the authorities ordered the working hours of civil servants to be halved for several days in an attempt to save energy.

But energy shortages go beyond just electricity in Iran.

On November 12, National Iranian Gas Company announced daily gas consumption in the country had set a new record of 794 million cubic metres.

Economic expert Hassan Forouzanfard cited poor infrastructure, mismanagement and in particular Western sanctions as responsible for Iran's energy problems.

"Sanctions and the cutting of the ties with international energy companies have deprived us of both the necessary technology and investment to develop our oil and gas sectors," he told AFP.

- 'Warm clothes' -

"If we have a cold winter this year, we will have to collectively deal with both gas and electricity problems in the country," Forouzanfard said.
Iran, despite holding some of the world's largest natural gas and oil reserves, has grappled with massive energy shortages in recent months

"I do not think that the government would be able to either control the negative effects of the pollution or to resolve the energy imbalances in a reasonable and serious way in the short term," he added.

But Tehran says consumers must do their part to conserve energy.

"We have no choice but to consume energy economically, especially gas, in the current conditions and the cold weather," said Pezeshkian.

"I myself use warm clothes at home, others can do the same," the president added.

During one of the scheduled power cuts, a queue formed outside a supermarket in Tehran.

"Since it is dark inside and our CCTVs are offline, we allow just one customer at a time so we can better handle them," said Sina, a 24-year-old employee, who did not want to give his full name.

"We are afraid that in the dark and without the help of surveillance cameras, we can't figure out if an item goes missing," he said, arguing that the power cuts are hurting the small business.