A popular initiative has successfully reopened the international road connecting Al-Bayda Governorate to Marib in eastern Yemen, after years of closure imposed by the Houthis on this important route that linked Yemeni expatriates in Saudi Arabia with several northern provinces of the country. Local sources reported that the campaign managed to surpass the last Houthi checkpoint in the Al-Jubah area south of Marib, after the initiative faced delays for more than three days due to the Houthis' refusal to allow passage.
Participants in the campaign stated that they are now at the entrance to the first security checkpoint belonging to the local authorities in Marib Governorate, where they are expected to enter the city center of Marib as soon as they complete the reception process for the local delegation that is raising a white flag.
For its part, the Houthi group announced the opening of the Al-Bayda - Al-Jubah - Marib road, which had been closed for years, following four months of the local authorities in Marib announcing the unilateral opening of the road. The Houthi news agency Saba reported that the road is now completely open for travelers after being cleared of war debris, amidst public demands to open the Naham - Sana’a road.
A community initiative carrying the banners of peace began earlier this week from Al-Bayda Governorate towards Marib, asking the group for a grace period to clear the road of mines, and reinitiated its journey towards Marib today, Tuesday, as it approached the Al-Jubah area south of Marib, accompanied by calls to return to the initiative through the Marib - Naham - Sana’a road.
This initiative came months after the announcement by a member of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, Marib Governor Sultan Al-Erada, in February, to open all roads linking Marib to other provinces. However, the Houthi group rejected these initiatives and resorted to opening unmaintained and unsuitable roads for passage.
The Houthi group declined the initiative to open the Marib, Naham, Sana'a road from one side, announcing their readiness to open the Marib, Sirwah, Khawlan, Sana’a road instead. The Marib - Naham - Sana’a road is the closest route between Marib and Sana'a, and it needs to be opened immediately, according to observers, to ease the burden on citizens who have to endure long hours on the rugged and dangerous desert road from Marib to Al-Jawf before crossing into Sana'a.
The Houthi group announced in mid-October 2021 the closure of the Marib - Al-Bayda road, which is one of the main highways linking Yemeni provinces, following bloody attacks launched in an attempt to seize control of the oil- and gas-rich governorate.
