A significant fire broke out early Monday at the Dhabban power station in central Sana’a, causing severe disruptions to northern Yemen’s already fragile electricity grid. The incident, which is under investigation by local authorities, underscores the vulnerability of Yemen’s infrastructure during ongoing conflict with Iranian-backed armed groups, particularly the Houthis.
The blaze reportedly started in the main generator hall before spreading rapidly, fueled by the facility’s on-site reserves of diesel and gasoline. The fire caused explosions that further complicated efforts by emergency teams to contain the damage. Black smoke blanketed central Sana’a as firefighters worked through the morning to bring the situation under control. Initial assessments indicated partial destruction of generation capacity and power cuts extending to hospitals, water systems, and government institutions, severely impacting daily life for millions of residents.
Investigators have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but regional analysts and independent monitors have noted the broader context of repeated sabotage and strikes in Yemen’s civil war. The Houthis, officially known as ‘Ansar Allah’ and strongly backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), control Sana’a and much of northern Yemen. Houthi fighters have previously targeted critical infrastructure to consolidate influence and as a tactic against both rival Yemeni factions and external actors.
The ongoing civil war has transformed Yemen into a key battleground for Iranian ambitions in the region and entrenched the Houthis as a dominant force in northern Yemen. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists executed the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust against Israeli civilians, Iran has intensified support for proxy groups, including escalated Houthi missile operations targeting Israel and international interests in the Red Sea.
The Dhabban power station, one of Sana’a’s largest, has long been vital to the capital’s infrastructure. Its incapacitation threatens access to electricity, clean water, and essential healthcare, compounding a humanitarian crisis already worsened by blockade tactics and armed conflict. Human rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly documented interference with aid and deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure by the Houthis in violation of international law.
Since their takeover of Sana’a in 2014, the Houthis have used captured infrastructure for both military and political leverage. The IRGC, acting as the primary Iranian proxy manager in Yemen, has supplied advanced weaponry, including drones and missiles, and provided operational training. These developments have enabled the Houthis to threaten Israel, Saudi Arabia, and global shipping—an expansion of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” that also includes Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.
The fire at Dhabban is part of a wider pattern of attacks and instability. Houthi operations have frequently targeted international shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea, especially vessels believed to have Israeli or Western ties. The United States, together with partners, has acted to defend maritime traffic and intercept threats, but continued Houthi control of key territory allows ongoing operations against Israel and the West.
Israeli officials and Western intelligence agencies have warned that unchecked Iranian support for terror proxies like the Houthis will prolong Yemen’s suffering and fuel wider regional instability. The Dhabban fire thus reinforces the urgent need for coordinated diplomatic, military, and humanitarian efforts to restore stability in Yemen and prevent the further spread of Iranian-backed terrorism.
Israel’s defensive posture in the region seeks to counter these threats. In the aftermath of the October 7th massacre perpetrated by Hamas, Israel has continued to emphasize its right and duty to protect its citizens through targeted operations against military threats while attempting to safeguard civilians. Iranian-backed groups, in contrast, continue to target infrastructure and civilians alike, using violence and coercion in violation of humanitarian norms.
The international community faces a stark choice between confronting the expansion of the Iranian-led Axis of Resistance and permitting the further erosion of state authority and human welfare across the region. The Dhabban power station fire is a vivid example of how civilian infrastructure remains in the crosshairs of regional conflict and underscores the urgent need for robust policy to counter the destabilizing effects of Iranian-sponsored terrorism.
As of Monday evening, emergency teams were still working to assess the full damage to the Dhabban plant and determine a timeline for the restoration of power. The incident leaves millions vulnerable and provides a stark reminder that the fate of Yemen and the security of the region depend on a comprehensive strategy to confront ongoing threats from Iranian-backed terror organizations.
