Yemenis Launch Social Media Campaign to Support Marib

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemenis Launch Social Media Campaign to Support Marib

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat

Hundreds of Yemeni activists are campaigning on social media for backing army forces on battlefronts west of Yemen’s Marib governorate, where Iran-backed Houthi militias have been fighting pro-government forces fiercely for four months in a row.

In their social media posts, both civilians and politicians urged more reinforcement to army forces in Marib, arguing that the battle there is vital to defeating the Iranian project in Yemen.

They also called for a swift victory, deploying additional defense brigades to Marib and driving Houthi militias out of positions they hold in the governorate.

The campaign coincided with military reports reaffirming that the army, backed by the Arab Coalition air forces, is constantly repelling Houthi attacks west of Marib.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani pointed out that government forces in Marib are not only fighting for the sake of preserving national interests but are also fighting against Iran’s expansionist ambitions and the terrorism of Houthi militias.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government accused the insurgents of following the Iranian agenda and blocking peace efforts.

According to the government, Houthis have insisted on the military escalation in Marib and failed to comply with the UN and international calls to end all attacks and to achieve peace.

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek visited the eastern governorate of Hadhramout on Sunday.

“Abdulmalek arrived in Mukalla on an inspection visit to the governorate of Hadhramout,” a tweet posted by the prime minister’s official account said.

Although he arrived in Mukalla, Hadhramout’s provincial capital, Abdulmalek’s several-day trip will include Mahara and Shabwa.

Abdulmalek intends to examine living conditions in the governorate and discuss concerns and needs in terms of projects and services needed by residents. He will also review local authority efforts in service and development, achieving security and stability and responding to urgent priorities.

The premier was received, at Ryan airport, by Hadhramout Governor Faraj al-Bohsoni and several officials.

This is the first visit paid by the Yemeni prime minister to the governorate since the government formation.



Gazans Struggle to Find Water as Clean Sources Become Increasingly Scarce

 Two boy sit on a mattress as they ride on their family car while s fleeing from east to west of Gaza City after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the area, Friday April 11, 2025. (AP)
Two boy sit on a mattress as they ride on their family car while s fleeing from east to west of Gaza City after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the area, Friday April 11, 2025. (AP)
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Gazans Struggle to Find Water as Clean Sources Become Increasingly Scarce

 Two boy sit on a mattress as they ride on their family car while s fleeing from east to west of Gaza City after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the area, Friday April 11, 2025. (AP)
Two boy sit on a mattress as they ride on their family car while s fleeing from east to west of Gaza City after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the area, Friday April 11, 2025. (AP)

Hundreds of thousands of Gaza City residents have lost their main source of clean water in the past week after supplies from Israel's water utility were cut by the Israeli army's renewed offensive, municipal authorities in the territory said.

Many now have to walk, sometimes for miles, to get a small water fill after the Israeli military's bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City's eastern Shejaia neighborhood, in the north of the Strip, damaged the pipeline operated by state-owned Mekorot.

"Since morning, I have been waiting for water," said 42-year-old Gaza woman Faten Nassar. "There are no stations and no trucks coming. There is no water. The crossings are closed. God willing, the war will end safely and peacefully."

Israel's military said in a statement it was in contact with the relevant organizations to coordinate the repair of what it called a malfunction of the northern pipeline as soon as possible.

It said a second pipeline supplying southern Gaza was still operating, adding that the water supply system "is based on various water sources, including wells and local desalination facilities distributed throughout the Gaza Strip".

Israel ordered Shejaia residents to evacuate last week as it launched an offensive that has seen several districts bombed. The military has said previously it was operating against "terror infrastructure" and had killed a senior militant leader.

The northern pipeline had been supplying 70% of Gaza City's water since the destruction of most of its wells during the war, municipal authorities say.

"The situation is very difficult and things are getting more complicated, especially when it comes to people's daily lives and their daily water needs, whether for cleaning, disinfecting, and even cooking and drinking," said Husni Mhana, the municipality's spokesperson.

"We are now living in a real thirst crisis in Gaza City, and we could face a difficult reality in the coming days if the situation remains the same."

WORSENING WATER CRISIS

Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have become internally displaced by the war, with many making daily trips on foot to fill plastic containers with water from the few wells still functioning in remoter areas - and even these do not guarantee clean supplies.

Water for drinking, cooking and washing has increasingly become a luxury for Gaza residents following the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, whose fighters carried out the deadliest attack in decades on Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people in southern Israel and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 50,800 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign, Palestinian authorities have said.

Many residents across the enclave queue for hours to get one water fill, which usually is not enough for their daily needs.

"I walk long distances. I get tired. I am old, I’m not young to walk around every day to get water," said 64-year-old Adel Al-Hourani.

The Gaza Strip's only natural source of water is the Coastal Aquifer Basin, which runs along the eastern Mediterranean coast from the northern Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, through Gaza and into Israel.

But its salty tap water is severely depleted, with up to 97% deemed unfit for human consumption due to salinity, over-extraction and pollution.

The Palestinian Water Authority stated that most of its wells had been rendered inoperable during the war.

On March 22, a joint statement by the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics and the Water Authority said more than 85% of water and sanitation facilities and assets in Gaza were completely or partially out of service.

Palestinian and United Nations officials said most of Gaza's desalination plants were either damaged or had stopped operations because of Israel's power and fuel cuts.

"Due to the extensive damage incurred by the water and sanitation sector, water supply rates have declined to an average of 3-5 liters per person per day," the statement said.

That was far below the minimum 15 liters per person per day requirement for survival in emergencies, according to the World Health Organization indicators, it added.