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Yemen Reports 30 New COVID-19 Cases

A man lies on a bed at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine center in Aden, Yemen March 27, 2021. Picture taken March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
A man lies on a bed at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine center in Aden, Yemen March 27, 2021. Picture taken March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
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Yemen Reports 30 New COVID-19 Cases

A man lies on a bed at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine center in Aden, Yemen March 27, 2021. Picture taken March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
A man lies on a bed at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine center in Aden, Yemen March 27, 2021. Picture taken March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman

Yemen witnessed Monday a slight surge in coronavirus-related deaths and infections as the war-torn country begins to contain the third wave of the outbreak that started three months ago.

On Monday, the Aden-based National Emergency Committee for COVID-19 reported 30 infections and three deaths in seven governorates.

The number of confirmed infections in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government in south and east Yemen reached 9,556 with 6,084 recoveries and 1,665 active cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in April 2020. The total death toll also rose to 1,807.

However, officials believe that the true number of coronavirus cases is much higher than the recorded, as the country suffers from limited testing capacity and difficulty of accessing treatment centers.

Also, most cases do not go to hospitals due to poverty and lack of confidence in the health sector.

The Houthi group, which controls Sanaa and some cities in the north and west of the country, does not report COVID infections and deaths.

The group only announced three infections and one death since the pandemic outbreak was announced in Yemen in April 2020.

More than six and a half years of war has undermined the health system in Yemen, which the United Nations says is already suffering from one of the world's worst health crises.

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After al-Sadr’s Boycott, al-Abadi Withdraws from Iraq’s Upcoming Elections

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announcing victory over Daesh in late 2017 (Archive – Government Media) 
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announcing victory over Daesh in late 2017 (Archive – Government Media) 
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After al-Sadr’s Boycott, al-Abadi Withdraws from Iraq’s Upcoming Elections

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announcing victory over Daesh in late 2017 (Archive – Government Media) 
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announcing victory over Daesh in late 2017 (Archive – Government Media) 

Following the decision by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sadrist Movement to uphold its boycott of Iraq’s parliamentary elections, former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has also announced that his Victory Coalition will withdraw in protest against “political money” and the lack of safeguards to prevent its misuse.

Al-Sadr has repeatedly declared that systemic financial and political corruption is the main reason his movement refuses to participate. Al-Abadi’s coalition echoed similar concerns, saying the upcoming November vote has been overshadowed by unrestrained spending and vote-buying.

Despite efforts by political forces to convince the Sadrists to reconsider, al-Sadr remained resolute. While he did direct his supporters to update their voter records, it is still unclear whether he will ultimately endorse any of the electoral lists reportedly registered under different names by allied groups.

The Victory Coalition formally notified its partners in the National State Forces Alliance that it will not field its own candidates, becoming the second major Shiite bloc to step aside.

In a statement, the coalition said it remains committed to democratic principles but refuses to legitimize an election “driven by political money, lacking serious enforcement of legal measures to prevent manipulation, vote-buying, misuse of public resources, and foreign funding.” The coalition stressed that a political entity’s credibility stems from its conduct, which defines its true influence.

Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission has begun reviewing candidate lists submitted by parties and alliances after the nomination period closed. Commission spokesperson Imad Jameel confirmed that officials are verifying documents to ensure candidates meet eligibility criteria, with background checks to be completed within 15 days.

As millions of Sadrist supporters face the likelihood of sitting out the election, traditional Shiite factions are positioning themselves as the natural political heirs and preparing to court disillusioned voters, particularly in Baghdad.

Separately, an official source revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, plans to run about 470 candidates nationwide. Al-Sudani will hold the top slot in Baghdad. Former Speaker of Parliament and Taqaddum leader Mohammed al-Halbousi also plans to contest Baghdad rather than Anbar, seeking to secure a strong Sunni presence in the capital.

These moves signal an intense contest for dominance in Baghdad, as al-Sudani may capitalize on Sadrist absence to expand Shiite support, while al-Halbousi’s campaign could reshape the sectarian balance in Iraq’s political heartland.