In the Mukalla Creative Hub in southern Yemen, young men and women sit at sleek desks, working on laptops. What draws them is not just the modern setting but fast, reliable Starlink satellite internet, a lifeline in a country devastated by war.

Hamzah Bakhdar, a digital freelancer at the hub, told Al Jazeera that four Starlink dishes provide speeds of 100–150 Mbps, enabling constant connectivity. In a nation where war has crippled telecommunications, eroded salaries, and isolated remote areas, Starlink is fostering a small but growing digital workforce.

Internet access in Yemen has been weaponized: Houthi rebels, who control major providers, block websites of opponents. Starlink offers an alternative, bypassing their grip. Mohammed Helmi, a video editor, said slow internet once forced him to turn down projects; now he works for clients in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the US simultaneously.

However, Starlink is not for everyone. The kits cost about $500, unaffordable for most Yemenis, over 80% of whom live below the poverty line. University student Mariam said even buying vouchers from resellers is beyond her means.

The Houthis have launched a campaign against Starlink, calling it a “US espionage agent” and threatening legal action. Despite this, the service has spread across the country, reaching isolated villages. Mobile app developer Omer Banabelah said he no longer fears losing clients when visiting his rural hometown.

Teachers have also benefited. Raja al-Dubae, a school director in Taiz, said online classes using local networks were plagued by disconnections. After installing Starlink, student numbers rose from 50 to over 200, and teachers earn better supplementary income.

“If Starlink were cut off, I would be devastated and forced back into the local market,” Helmi said. For many Yemenis, Starlink represents a rare opportunity in a broken economy, but high costs and political opposition remain significant barriers.

Source: www.aljazeera.com