Caught in Conflict, Internet Users in Yemen Face Blocking, Shutdowns and Slow Speed

When she learned that violent clashes had broken out between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a young woman named Amal tried to call home. She was outside of the country, at university, but knew the violence had occurred near her family's home in the capital, Sana'a.

She tried to reach her family using various mobile messaging apps, and was surprised when she did not hear back from them or see them connected on Facebook. She began to fear the worst until she successfully reached them on the phone by the end of the day.

Amal's experience, and many others like it, give a glimpse of how harmful internet service disruptions can be amid an armed conflict.

Nearly three years ago, Yemen plunged into an armed conflict, with Houthi rebels fighting to seize power from the internationally-recognized government of President Drabber Man sour Hadi, who is is support by a Saudi-led coalition. Forces loyal to former president Ali Abdul Sahel (who was removed from power following sreet protests in 2011)ad fought against the Outhits, until Ah changed his position and called for dialogue with Saudi Arabia. On 4 December, 2017, the Houthis killed Saleh. Some days after the clashes between the Outshout and forces loyal to Sahel ended, internet users were caught off guard by a 30-minute internet shutdown, on 7 December between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm local time..