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Yemen’s PLC Warns Houthis against Undermining Peace Efforts

The Presidential Leadership Council meets in Riyadh. (Saba news agency)
The Presidential Leadership Council meets in Riyadh. (Saba news agency)
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Yemen’s PLC Warns Houthis against Undermining Peace Efforts

The Presidential Leadership Council meets in Riyadh. (Saba news agency)
The Presidential Leadership Council meets in Riyadh. (Saba news agency)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council warned on Sunday the Iran-backed Houthi militias against escalating the situation in the country and undermining peace efforts.

Tensions have soared in Yemen after the Houthis launched a series of attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea, prompting retaliatory strikes by the United States and UK against the militias.

The Houthis claim their attacks are a in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid Israel’s war on Gaza. They have said they are targeting vessels bound for Israel.

The PLC called on the international community to support its military forces to help them secure marine navigation in the Red Sea.

The council met in Riyadh to tackle the latest Houthi attacks in Yemen.

The militias attacked military positions on several fronts, using rockers and drones, in an attempt to make advances on the ground.

Official sources said the PLC discussed the security and military situation in Yemen, warning the “terrorist Houthis against escalating the situation on various fronts and exploiting the just Palestinian cause”.

PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi chaired the meeting. He praised the readiness and vigilance displayed by the military and security forces in the battle of restoring the state and defending the republican system.

The meeting reviewed the repercussions the Houthi attacks are having on marine navigation, saying the militias were “desperate to militarize the regional waters, compound economic burdens, raise shipping costs and the prices of essential goods, and harm national sovereignty and the interests of the Yemeni people.”

The PLC hailed the “unity of the international community towards the Yemeni file and its united stance against the dangerous threats to global trade.”

It hoped the threats will reveal the “terrorist nature of the Houthi militias and the Iranian regime that supports them.” It also hoped that this would lead to more support to the government and coast guard, in line with a United Nations Security Council resolution that seeks to protect regional waters.

The PLC welcomed Washington’s re-designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization, hoping more sanctions will be imposed on them and that the international resolution on an arms embargo on Yemen would be imposed.

This is the best option to restore peace and stability in Yemen that the people deserve, it said.

The PLC instructed the government to make “coordinated efforts” with concerned parties to limit the impact the Houthi terrorist attacks in the Red Sea are having on living conditions, such as supplies of essential goods, reported Yemeni state media.

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Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
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Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)

Already suffering from a prolonged conflict as a result of the Houthi coup against the legitimate authority, Yemen is facing mounting risks brought on by climate change, the World Bank warned on Thursday.
Many populations are facing threats from climate change, such as extreme heat, drought, and floods, the WB said in its newly released Yemen Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR).
Stephane Guimbert, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti said that Yemen is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises — conflict, climate change, and poverty.
He called for immediate and decisive action on climate resilience, a matter of survival for millions of Yemenis.
“By investing in water security, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy, Yemen can safeguard human capital, build resilience and lay the foundations for a path to sustainable recovery,” he said.
The WB report said half of Yemenis are already exposed to at least one climate hazard — extreme heat, drought, or flooding — with compounding effects on food insecurity and poverty.
These risks, it showed, are expected to intensify without immediate action and Yemen’s annual GDP could decline by an average of 3.9% by 2040 under pessimistic climate scenarios, largely due to decreased agricultural productivity and infrastructure damage.
Navigating Challenges
Despite these challenges, the CCDR identifies strategic opportunities to strengthen resilience, improve food and water security, and unlock sustainable growth, the WB report noted.
For example, it said, targeted investments in water storage and groundwater management, coupled with adaptive agriculture techniques could lead to productivity gains of up to 13.5% in crop production under optimistic climate scenarios for the period of 2041 to 2050.
The report also spoke about risks to the fisheries sector, considered as a critical source of livelihood for many Yemenis.
Its projections indicate a potential decline of up to 23% in fish stocks due to rising sea temperatures and altered marine ecosystems.

The WB report also said that climate change exacerbates existing health challenges in Yemen, leading to increased healthcare costs and strain on already fragile health systems.
“It is projected that climate-related health issues could cost the country over $5 billion in excess health costs by 2050,” it noted.
“Addressing these challenges requires integrating climate resilience into public health planning, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children.”
Concerning infrastructure, the report said urban areas and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable, and without adaptation measures, economic shocks will disproportionately affect already fragile communities.
As for the private sector, it has a critical role to play in addressing Yemen’s pressing development challenges, said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East.
“Harnessing its potential through innovative financing mechanisms and guarantee instruments and creating a conducive investment climate can help mobilize the climate-focused funding the country urgently needs to build a greener and more resilient future,” he said.
The WB report also said that Yemen also has immense potential for renewable energy, which could serve as a key component of its climate response and recovery.
It showed that harnessing renewable energy resources not only offers a pathway to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also enables the creation of a more resilient power infrastructure.
“This will be essential in supporting vital services such as healthcare, water supply, and food distribution, particularly in conflict-affected areas,” it said.
Global Coordination
The World Bank highlighted the significant commitments and coordination from the international community to support Yemen in coping with climate shocks and building broader resilience.
It said securing sustainable peace will be required to unlock the financing and take the action needed to build long-term resilience to climate change.
The CCDR then underscored the importance of flexible, risk-informed decision-making to adapt climate actions to Yemen's uncertain political landscape.
Under a “Peace and Prosperity” scenario, it said, a higher level of adaptation can be implemented, yielding greater economic and social benefits.
Yemeni Minister of Water and Environment, Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, stressed the importance of integrating climate action into development strategies and adapting to climate fluctuations.
The minister was speaking at a special session to discuss the WB report on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
He said the report represents a significant contribution for Yemen in addressing climate change and will facilitate access to various climate financing options amid the structural and technical fragility faced by institutions due to the war.
The report, Al-Sharjabi added, aligns closely with Yemen's urgent priorities, particularly in the areas of water and food security, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting area-based climate adaptation approaches.