Yemen: PLC Open to Economic Talks, Houthis Reject UN Envoy’s Call for Dialogue

A meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) (Saba News Agency)
A meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) (Saba News Agency)
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Yemen: PLC Open to Economic Talks, Houthis Reject UN Envoy’s Call for Dialogue

A meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) (Saba News Agency)
A meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) (Saba News Agency)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has shown flexibility in response to a request from UN envoy Hans Grundberg to stop the Central Bank in Aden from taking action against Houthi-controlled banks and to start an economic dialogue.

This has caused widespread anger among government supporters.

The Houthis, however, rejected the UN envoy’s call for dialogue on economic issues, especially concerning banks whose licenses were revoked. Grundberg defended his request by highlighting the humanitarian impact and the fear of renewed conflict.

Mayy El Sheikh, Chief of the Strategic Communications and Public Information Office at the UN envoy’s office in Yemen, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Grundberg has renewed his call for the Yemeni government and the Houthis to meet under UN supervision to discuss economic issues, including the banking sector.

El Sheikh noted that Grundberg informed the UN Security Council in June about his efforts to facilitate direct talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthis.

She added that Grundberg’s office “remains committed to pushing for dialogue, believing that sincere, unconditional talks are the best way to address economic issues and prioritize the interests of Yemenis.”

Grundberg recently sent a letter to PLC head Rashad al-Alimi urgently requesting a halt or delay until the end of August on the Central Bank of Yemen’s decision to revoke the licenses of six banks in Houthi-controlled areas and suspend their access to the SWIFT system.

In his letter, Grundberg acknowledged the long-standing economic hardships faced by the Yemeni government, especially the halt in crude oil exports. He warned that the Central Bank's recent actions against the banks would harm Yemen's economy, worsen living conditions for ordinary Yemenis, and risk escalating military tensions.

Meanwhile, the Houthis rejected the call for dialogue. Hussein al-Ezzi, their Deputy Foreign Minister, stated on X that his group had informed Grundberg of their “outright rejection” of the proposed talks.

“There will be no negotiations except on the agreed-upon roadmap,” al-Ezzi added.

Despite the PLC’s support for economic reforms and the Central Bank’s actions in Aden, it has shown flexibility towards the UN request, demanding a clear agenda for any economic dialogue.

This includes resuming oil exports, unifying the national currency, and ending arbitrary measures against the banking sector.

In response to Houthi threats of military escalation, the PLC warned the Iran-aligned group against full-scale war and confirmed the readiness of all military units to counter any aggression.



Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The UN human rights office said on Tuesday that the "weaponization" of food for civilians in Gaza constitutes a war crime, in its strongest remarks yet on a new model of aid distribution run by an Israeli-backed organization.

Over 410 people have been killed by gunshots or shells fired by the Israeli military while trying to reach distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since it began work in late May, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters at a Geneva press briefing.

The death toll has been independently verified by his office, he added.

"Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food," he said, describing the system as "Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism".

"The weaponization of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law."

Asked whether Israel was guilty of that war crime, he said: "The legal qualification needs to be made by a court of law."

Israel rejects war crimes charges in Gaza and blames Hamas fighters for harm to civilians for operating among them, which the fighters deny.