Fuel shortages reported in Sanaa as Houthis divert supplies for military use

Signs of fuel and petroleum product shortages have begun to appear in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, coinciding with a major military escalation and renewed fighting on several fronts. According to Al Arabiya sources on Monday, Houthi militias have started allocating fuel reserves for their military operations.

This comes just days after fuel prices were raised in areas under Houthi control. The fuel company run by the group said the increase was due to rising global prices and higher shipping and insurance costs. Petrol prices rose by about 10% in September, marking the first such increase in years.

The signs of fuel shortages coincide with renewed clashes between the Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government, in one of the most intense waves of military escalation the country has seen in years.

In recent weeks, the western coast has witnessed battles between Houthi and Yemeni government forces, with clashes spreading to other areas alongside government military movements.

The escalation has gained additional significance as fighting nears Bab al-Mandab, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

This development comes as Yemen continues to face a prolonged humanitarian and economic crisis. Renewed fighting in September has triggered large waves of displacement and increased pressure on food, fuel, and essential services.

In Sanaa, rising fuel prices have already affected transportation and living costs, amid concerns that any shortage of petroleum products could drive up the prices of goods and services tied to transport and energy.