A shocking incident has highlighted the scale of the humanitarian tragedy facing Yemenis, after a Yemeni citizen set himself on fire inside a mosque in the city of Marib in protest against worsening living conditions and the continued suspension of his salary. The incident has shaken the local community and once again drawn attention to the suffering of thousands of families devastated by war, poverty, and soaring living costs.

Local sources reported that Abdulwahid Ali Hassan, a soldier serving in the ranks of forces affiliated with the internationally recognized government, set himself ablaze on Tuesday evening inside Al-Baqma Mosque in Marib city. The incident left worshippers in a state of shock as they rushed to rescue him and extinguish the flames consuming his body.

According to the sources, the soldier was rushed to hospital in critical condition after sustaining severe burns that covered large parts of his body, amid fears that his health condition may deteriorate further.

The incident quickly turned into a matter of public concern, with activists and citizens expressing anger over the worsening economic collapse that is pushing many Yemenis to the brink of despair, amid continued delays in salary payments, rising prices, and the collapse of the local currency.

Observers say the incident reflects one aspect of the suffocating humanitarian crisis affecting areas controlled by the internationally recognized government, where the suffering of employees and military personnel continues to grow alongside expanding poverty and the inability to secure basic necessities.

Millions of Yemenis continue to endure harsh living conditions as a result of the years-long war, which has triggered widespread economic collapse and a sharp decline in purchasing power, while large numbers of families depend on suspended salaries or limited humanitarian aid that falls far short of covering even the minimum requirements for daily life.