Aden: On a sweltering night in Aden, when the power was cut yet again, a resident stepped outside and sat beneath a shattered streetlamp. Around them, the city seemed swallowed by darkness and silence, broken only by the ragged drone of private generators providing light for the few who could afford it.

According to Namibia press Agency, the situation in Aden remains dire despite the absence of active conflict. The city, which once buzzed with hope after Houthi fighters were driven out in 2015, now languishes in neglect. Families that returned with dreams of rebuilding find themselves in a city where foreign embassies are absent, and the pace of reconstruction is slow. Aden, holding the title of Yemen’s temporary capital, struggles with the reality of its situation.

Yemen is fractured, with the Houthis entrenched in the north and a fragile power-sharing government in the south. For Aden’s residents, this divide is tangible, marked by checkpoints that restrict movement and instill fear. The city grapples with power cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day, scarce water, and accumulating garbage. The hardships of daily life have replaced the violence of war, leaving residents feeling slowly consumed by their circumstances.

The human cost is evident in Aden’s markets, where shopkeepers lament falling sales and rising prices. Salaries remain unpaid for months, and when they do arrive, they barely cover essentials. Schools struggle with inadequate resources, and some children, like a 15-year-old neighbor, have abandoned education to support their families.

The absence of war has not brought peace to Aden. Instead, residents endure a silent struggle for survival, hoping for a future where basic services are restored. Aden’s current state is a testament to the ongoing challenges faced by those living in a divided and neglected city.

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