Al-Mukalla (South24 Center)

The Community Committee in Hadramout on Saturday (September 6) accused the "Hadramout Tribal Alliance" led by Sheikh Amr bin Habrish of obstructing fuel deliveries to power stations along the Al-Mukalla coast, and thereby exacerbating the electricity crisis affecting residents amid soaring temperatures.

The committee stated that bin Habrish had refused to permit any additional diesel quantities except according to his personal specifications, characterizing the deaths of sick people and the elderly due to power cuts as "sacrifices for his project”. It noted that 130,000 liters of fuel, which the alliance had announced for allocation toward electricity, never reached the power stations, and were instead diverted to a private merchant.

These revelations emerged during a public gathering in Al-Mukalla, where committee chairman Salem bin Sheikh Abubakar delivered a statement explicitly identifying the party responsible for fuel supply disruptions amid the escalating energy crisis.

The Community Committee, formed in Al-Mukalla and comprising local academics, engineers, and technicians, monitors fuel distribution to power plants on a voluntary basis and provides transparent reports to authorities. Local officials had previously praised its role in verifying electricity corporation data and overseeing station supply.

Following these accusations, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout submitted an urgent complaint to the Attorney General on Sunday (September 7) against bin Habrish, accusing him of imposing an electricity fuel blockade and exacerbating civilian suffering.

The STC warned that continued crisis risks total service collapse, demanding an immediate investigation and accountability for those exploiting the situation for personal gain.

According to Aden Independent Channel, the Attorney General instructed the Public Funds Appeal Prosecution in Hadramout to investigate the complaint regarding the obstruction of fuel deliveries, in response to the STC Hadramout branch’s submission.

Simultaneously, journalist Saeed Bakran filed a complaint with the Attorney General after receiving death threats from an unknown number following his critical reporting on the electricity crisis perpetrators. Committee chairman Salem bin Sheikh Abubakar had previously reported similar threats.

On Monday (September 8), the "Inclusive Hadramout Conference", the political wing of bin Habrish's tribal alliance, issued a statement characterizing these developments as "attempts to sabotage Hadrami demands" coordinated between local authorities and the STC.

The statement denounced what it called as "escalatory policies" such as obstructing electricity solutions and halting unofficial recruitment processes, reaffirming its commitment to avoid conflict while insisting on full control over the oil fields.

These developments follow angry protests in Al-Mukalla in late July against service deterioration, which spread to Tarim where the First Military Zone forces suppressed the demonstrations, resulting in fatalities among protesters.

Since then, the electricity crisis has evolved into a focal point of political and social confrontation, with local parties exchanging accusations over responsibility.