The mountains of Aden are witnessing a disturbing phenomenon represented by the spread of random settlement by displaced people and influential people, leaving behind a scene that distorts the civilized face of Aden, and threatens the safety and future of the city.

The pictures show the scale of the disaster, as they show random homes built on mountaintops, and extending to flood paths, without regard to the minimum safety standards or the provision of basic services.

This expansion is a huge burden on the Aden districts, as they are burdened by the increased demand for services, such as water, electricity, and sanitation, without an infrastructure capable of absorbing this pressure.

Not to mention the serious risks that threaten the lives of the residents of these informal homes, especially with the advent of winter, when these areas become vulnerable to torrents and rockslides.

The phenomenon of random settlement in Aden is not new, but rather an old phenomenon that has worsened in recent years, especially with the increase in the number of displaced people from various parts of Yemen.

However, this phenomenon is no longer limited to the displaced only, but rather includes influential people, who exploit the weakness of the state and its preoccupation with war, to seize land and build random homes on it.

This phenomenon poses a great danger to the future of the capital, Aden, and threatens to turn it into a random city without an identity.

Therefore, the concerned authorities must take decisive steps to stop this phenomenon and address its roots, by providing appropriate housing solutions for the displaced, and fighting corruption that allows the powerful to seize land.

Civil society must also cooperate with official authorities, educate citizens about the dangers of this phenomenon, and urge them to abide by the law.

Aden is an ancient civilized city, and we will not allow its face to be distorted or be negligent in protecting its future.