The Yemeni government acknowledged on Wednesday a critical lack of resources to address crucial expenses, highlighting its dependence on support from allies and friends to uphold economic stability.
Simultaneously, the leader of the Houthi group issued a warning of potential reprisal terrorist attacks targeting key sectors within liberated areas, including oil export ports.
The Yemeni government’s acknowledgment came during a cabinet meeting in Aden, presided over by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik. This coincided with the ongoing deterioration of the Yemeni rial against hard currencies, as the exchange rate surpassed 1300 rials per US dollar in liberated areas.
According to official media, the cabinet meeting focused on examining the evolving state of affairs and public matters across the nation, encompassing political, military, security, and service-related aspects.
It also conducted a thorough assessment of the progress made in implementing decisions concerning diverse issues and priorities within the government's reform program.
For his part, Abdulmalik reiterated his commitment to “facilitating opportunities for efforts aimed at ending the war.”
He highlighted the extensive concessions made by the government in the ceasefire and de-escalation process, despite bearing significant economic burdens resulting from the terrorist Houthi attacks on the oil sector, their continued looting of revenues, and the deepening suffering of citizens in areas under their control.
Abdulmalik also expressed his concerns about the “financial challenges facing the government in fulfilling its essential commitments, with a decline in public revenues caused by Houthi terrorist attacks targeting oil export ports.”
The premier stated that his government relies on the role of Yemen’s friends and partners, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the forefront, to provide urgent support in these exceptional circumstances.
Supporting the government in maintaining economic stability is a fundamental and sustainable approach to addressing and alleviating the humanitarian suffering caused by the terrorist Houthi militia since their coup and initiation of the war in Yemen, emphasized Abdulmalik.
To address the challenges, the prime minister established a committee comprising six ministries and the Central Bank, which will oversee the implementation of an extensive economic, financial, and monetary reform program.
The Yemeni government has suffered significant financial losses due to Houthi attacks on oil export ports since October of last year, resulting in the depletion of a crucial revenue stream for public services and salaries.
In a recent speech on Tuesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi issued a threat to carry out further attacks against vital targets in liberated areas.