The first electrical circuit within the Marib-Sana’a power lines has been attacked sending the 400-kilovolt Marib-gas fired power station out of service and plunging several Yemeni cities including the capital Sana’a into 24-hour darkness.

Saba news agency quoted an official at the Public Electricity Corporation as saying the fresh attack occurred on Thursday, shortly after the authorities had repaired previous damages to Marib-Sana’a power towers. The attack was the third last week.

Marib-Sana’a power towers have recently come under many attacks affecting the operation of the Marib station and causing long blackouts amid persistent protests seeking the ouster of the regime.

The Corporation said months ago that tribesmen in Marib province and on the outskirts of Sana’a had committed more than 30 attacks against power towers and Marib station this year.