Fuel prices rise in Sanaa despite its flow through the port of Hodeidah

 The prices of oil derivatives in areas controlled by the Houthi militia - Iran's arm in Yemen - are still high in light of the successive arrival of ships loaded with fuel to the port of Hodeidah.

 A UN report issued by the World Food Program indicated that Hodeidah ports are witnessing an increase in the volume of fuel and food imports during the past seven months of the current year 2023.

 The report added that total fuel imports since the beginning of last year amounted to 1,584 million metric tons, a significant increase of 81% compared to the same time period in 2022, in which a total of 876 thousand metric tons of fuel entered.

The UN program explained that gasoline and diesel prices in Houthi-controlled areas witnessed a slight decline of less than 2% last July, despite the continuous flow of fuel through Hodeidah ports and the decline in its global prices.

 The UN report revealed the truth about the fuel crisis that Sanaa and the Houthi areas witnessed at the beginning of this September.  In light of the continued flow of fuel ships to the port of Hodeidah without any restrictions or obstacles, as the Houthi leaders are trying to promote to justify the crisis.

 Citizens in Sanaa said that, since the beginning of this year 2023, they have been experiencing recurring and severe crises in diesel and gasoline from time to time.  Explaining that gas stations have closed their doors over the past few days under the pretext that there are no oil derivatives;  Meanwhile, there are large quantities of fuel on the black market belonging to Houthi leaders and supervisors, at double prices.

Sana'a is witnessing popular discontent as the Houthi militias continue to impose double prices on gasoline and diesel prices, despite the stability of the foreign currency exchange - the US dollar - and the global decline in fuel prices.

 The refusal of the Houthi militias to reduce the prices of oil derivatives in areas under their control reveals the existence of manipulation led by prominent Houthi leaders in the group and the deliberate seizure of tons of fuel arriving successively at the port of Hodeidah, which is under their control.

 Sources working at the Hodeidah Oil Company said: The flow of fuel ships to Hodeidah Port is regular and stable and there are no crises as is being promoted.  Explaining that most of the companies importing oil derivatives are affiliated with prominent Houthi leaders, including the chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdel Salam, and they are the ones who control the local market.

 The sources indicated that many of the arriving quantities are transferred to warehouses belonging to those leaders that manage and supervise the fuel trade in the areas under their control.  Explaining that Houthi leaders are holding a series of meetings at the oil company headquarters in Hodeidah and Sanaa to determine the plan for dealing with the quantities of fuel arriving at Hodeidah port.

 The Yemeni government revealed the volume of revenues obtained by the Houthi group from oil derivatives received through the port of Hodeidah since the start of the truce in April 2022, confirming that it amounted to about 200 million dollars.

 The government explained in a statement issued by the Yemeni Minister of Information, Muammar Al-Eryani, in mid-August: 157 ships loaded with oil were authorized to enter and unloaded their cargo in the port of Hodeidah for a year and a half, since April 2022, confirming that the ships unloaded about 4 million and 98 thousand and 67 metric tons of oil derivatives.  

 Al-Eryani accused the Houthi group of "misleading" Yemeni public opinion and the international community regarding the fabricated crises and the profits it makes from oil derivatives, without any concern for the lives of citizens or the worsening humanitarian and living conditions.

المصدر: نيوزيمن