Saudi Attempts to Win Over Locals in Yemen Stir Anger

Residents in the east, which has avoided much of the destruction seen elsewhere in war-torn Yemen, denounce Riyadh’s development efforts as ‘occupation’

Sune Engel Rasmussen and

Saleh al-Batati

Jan. 3, 2019 10:00 a.m. ET

GHAYDAH, Yemen—To win over locals in this relatively peaceful corner of a shattered country, Saudi Arabia has funded schools, expanded medical facilities and promised new boats for fishermen.

The kingdom’s military has also taken over sea and airports and brought in hundreds of Saudi soldiers to carry out the projects, stirring up opposition among residents of Yemen’s Al-Mahra province, whose capital is Ghaydah.

As...