Elon Musk announces Starlink internet launch in Yemen sparking controversy

Sana’a (Quds News Network)- Elon Musk announced early Wednesday the launch of the Starlink satellite internet service in Yemen, following approval from Aden’s government last August. The move is seen as an intervention against Ansar Allah in the capital, Sanaa.
A high-ranking official from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology in Sanaa condemned the decision, labeling it a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and independence and a serious threat to national security. In a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), the ministry expressed concerns over the potential impact of Starlink’s internet services, stating it could harm Yemen’s social fabric. The statement further noted that the move received American support.
The Sanaa-based ministry warned that the introduction of foreign internet services poses a direct threat to Yemen’s national security and undermines the ability to protect citizens’ privacy and data. The ministry urged citizens to avoid engaging with the service, labeling it illegal.
The statement emphasized that the ministry would take all necessary measures to safeguard Yemen’s sovereignty and security, calling on the public to unite against any threats to the nation’s stability.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Yemen congratulated the country on becoming the first in the Middle East to have full access to satellite internet via Starlink. “This achievement illustrates how technology can open new opportunities and drive progress. As Secretary of State Blinken previously emphasized, technology is reshaping diplomacy and defining the future”, the US Embassy in Yemen stated in a post on X.
تهانينا لـ #اليمن لكونها أول دولة في الشرق الأوسط تتمتع بإمكانية الوصول الكامل إلى الإنترنت عبر الأقمار الصناعية من #ستارلينك! يوضح هذا الإنجاز كيف يمكن للتكنولوجيا أن تفتح فرصًا جديدة وتدفع عجلة التقدم. كما أكد وزير الخارجية بلينكن سابقا إلى أن التكنولوجيا تعمل على إعادة تشكيل… https://t.co/3L2oRhOC6c
— U.S. Embassy Yemen السفارة الأمريكية لدى اليمن (@USEmbassyYemen) September 18, 2024