De-escalation Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis Paves Way for Economic Talks

The Houthi-held central bank in Sanaa. (Reuters)
The Houthi-held central bank in Sanaa. (Reuters)
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De-escalation Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis Paves Way for Economic Talks

The Houthi-held central bank in Sanaa. (Reuters)
The Houthi-held central bank in Sanaa. (Reuters)

The legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi group reached an agreement to de-escalate the economic tensions between them related to banks and the national airline in the hopes of paving the way for comprehensive economic talks between the two parties.

The central bank in the interim capital Aden had withdrawn the licenses of six banks operating in regions held by the Houthis after they had failed to relocate to Aden.

The Houthis retaliated by taking similar measures against banks operating in government-held areas. They also seized four Yemenia Airways planes at Sanaa airport over disputes related to the company’s revenues.

In a statement on Tuesday, United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the government and Houthis agreed on several measures to de-escalate in relation to the banking sector and Yemenia Airways.

The parties agreed to “cancel all the recent decisions and procedures against banks by both sides and refrain in the future from any similar decisions or procedures.”

They agreed on “resuming Yemenia Airways’ flights between Sanaa and Jordan and increasing the number of flights to three daily flights, and operating flights to Cairo and India daily or as needed.”

Meetings will be convened to address the administrative, technical, and financial challenges faced by the company, added the statement.

The parties also agreed on “initiating the convening of meetings to discuss all economic and humanitarian issues based on the roadmap.”

The parties requested the support of the UN in implementing their commitments.

Grundberg recognized “the significant role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in bringing this agreement about.”

He expressed the UN’s “readiness to work with the parties to implement the measures they agreed. He additionally offered that his Office supports communication with the authorities of Jordan, Egypt, and India.”

Grundberg stressed the need “for the parties to collaborate towards an economy that benefits all Yemenis and supports the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of an inclusive political process.”

Commenting on the agreement, the Yemeni government stressed that it aimed to ease the people’s humanitarian suffering, especially in regions held by the Houthis.

It hailed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their role in achieving the agreement, saying it reflects their firm stances in support of the Yemeni people.

It welcomed Grundberg’s statement, saying it hopes the deal will lead to “constructive dialogue to end all of the Houthis’ destructive policies against banks and the national economy and currency.”

It hoped the Houthis would also meet their commitments towards the roadmap, starting with resuming the export of oil.

It stressed that the government’s economic reforms aim to empower the central bank in managing monetary policy and protecting depositors and deposits.

Furthermore, the government said the agreement on flights will allow thousands of patients seeking medical treatment to receive it abroad. It will also allow Yemenis seeking work opportunities and students to pursue an education aboard.

This will help ease the burden of the war sparked by the Iran-backed Houthis ten years ago, it remarked.

It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in applying more pressure on the Houthis so that they can prioritize the people’s interests above those of their backers, who want to drag Yemen and its people towards another war.



UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The UN aid chief said Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.

A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centers were "considered combat zones".

The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.

On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.

"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."

He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

"No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.

The GHF began operations a week ago, but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Meanwhile the United Nations has described the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month total blockade, as a trickle.

"We must be allowed to do our jobs: we have the teams, the plan, the supplies and the experience," said Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

"Open the crossings -- all of them. Let in life-saving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in.

"Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials. Release the hostages. Implement the ceasefire."