Aden Gas Crisis Worsens Amid Long Queues and Proposed Local Fees

The domestic gas crisis in Aden has entered its third week, marked by extensive queues at distribution stations and accusations of supply hoarding for the black market. Concurrently, local authorities are proposing the imposition of additional fees on gas sales.

Commercial sources indicated that the local authority has requested the Yemen Gas Company to add 100 Yemeni Rials per liter for domestic gas and 500 Yemeni Rials per liter for large consumers, with these revenues intended for the local authority. The destination of these additional revenues remains unclear, as it has not been determined whether they will be remitted to the general treasury or collected through a separate account managed by the local authority.

This situation unfolds as Aden residents face increasing difficulty in obtaining gas, with dozens of vehicles and individuals queuing for hours at distribution stations, from early morning until evening in some areas. Some individuals are forced to leave without obtaining their required supplies due to depleted stock or the closure of stations.

The repercussions have extended to vehicle fuel, leading to additional congestion at filling stations and a reduction in the availability of taxis on the streets, as drivers endure prolonged waits for fuel.

Citizens and business owners accuse some distribution stations of withholding available supplies and reselling them on the black market. According to their testimonies, the price of a gas cylinder on the black market reaches approximately 15,000 Yemeni Rials, compared to about 9,000 Yemeni Rials at official distribution points. These accusations link the crisis to delays in the arrival of supplies from Marib Governorate.

A document revealed that a total of 832,563 gas cylinders entered Aden between January 1 and August 10, 2026, raising questions about the persistence of the gas shortage despite these quantities. The underlying issues may relate to supply chain management, distribution mechanisms, sales, or market oversight.

Details regarding the Yemen Gas Company's stance or the Aden local authority's position on the proposed fees and the accusations of supply hoarding were not immediately available. The gas crisis exacerbates existing challenges in Aden, including recurrent failures in essential services and rising living costs, placing increased economic pressure on households, drivers, and commercial enterprises.