Houthi Ban on Digital and Google Ads Deprives Thousands of Yemenis of Livelihoods
Investigations reveal that Yemen Net—the Houthi-controlled internet monopoly—covertly disabled all Google Ad services in late May, abruptly cutting revenue streams for websites, mobile apps, and YouTube channels without warning or justification.
The blackout has triggered outrage across social media, with content creators in Houthi-held territories describing the move as an "economic death sentence" for digital entrepreneurs who built sustainable businesses amid Yemen's humanitarian crisis. Over 72% of affected creators report being unable to cover basic household expenses since the ban.
According to digital experts, Yemen Net deliberately blocked Google ad domains, stopping ads from appearing for users in Yemen—except for a very small percentage—severely impacting the revenue of channels and platforms targeting Yemeni audiences.
The damage extends beyond content creators to tens of thousands of youth and breadwinners who do not own physical stores and rely entirely on paid ads to promote their products and services online.
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