The office of the governor of Al Dhale'e, Ali Muqbil Saleh, stated in a statement published on the X platform that "the international road linking Aden, which is under government control, and Sanaa, which is under Houthi control, was officially opened today, Thursday, after intensive efforts and direct coordination by the governor."
The statement emphasized that this step was a source of great relief for thousands of citizens in the north and south of the country, after years of suffering due to the closure, which forced them to use long and arduous alternative routes.
Local authorities considered the reopening of the road to represent tangible progress toward improving humanitarian and living conditions, in addition to its expected positive impact on commercial activity, transportation, and the rebuilding of economic and social relations between Yemen's various regions.
The Houthi group announced last Monday the opening of the road as part of an "initiative to alleviate citizens' suffering," according to the group's Saba news agency. The opening of the road will shorten the distance between Sana'a and Aden to just 360 kilometers, compared to more than 600 kilometers via alternative routes, according to local media reports.
In December 2023, the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced the two parties' commitment to a comprehensive roadmap, including a complete ceasefire and improvements to living conditions. However, implementation remains stalled amid an exchange of accusations between the government and the Houthi group.
Yemen has witnessed a relative calm since April 2022, after years of war that destroyed infrastructure and created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, according to United Nations estimates.
