Yemeni Prime Minister: Houthi Economic War Hits Harder Than Military Conflict

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak called the new political alliance “a fresh voice and a renewed vision,” supporting national efforts to unite and free Yemen from Houthi control (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak called the new political alliance “a fresh voice and a renewed vision,” supporting national efforts to unite and free Yemen from Houthi control (Saba News Agency)
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Yemeni Prime Minister: Houthi Economic War Hits Harder Than Military Conflict

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak called the new political alliance “a fresh voice and a renewed vision,” supporting national efforts to unite and free Yemen from Houthi control (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak called the new political alliance “a fresh voice and a renewed vision,” supporting national efforts to unite and free Yemen from Houthi control (Saba News Agency)

Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak said his government is eager to engage with a new political alliance of Yemeni forces launched in Aden.

He noted that the Houthis’ economic war is now hitting the Yemeni people’s daily lives harder than the military conflict.

On Tuesday, Yemeni parties and factions formed a coalition in Aden aimed at restoring the state, ending the Houthi takeover, and preserving the republic under a federal system.

Mubarak called the new political alliance “a fresh voice and a renewed vision,” supporting national efforts to unite and free Yemen from Houthi control.

He said his government is “fully open” to working with the coalition to restore the state, defeat the Houthi takeover, and achieve peace.

Mubarak stressed the need for unity under a national vision focused on stability, sovereignty, and building a strong, unified Yemen.

“We know the challenges ahead, but with our belief in our cause and the will of our people, we can make a difference,” he said.

The premier said the Houthi economic war has caused more damage than the military conflict, harming citizens’ lives, draining resources, and leading to higher poverty and unemployment rates, as well as a collapse in basic services.

He stressed the need for unity and support for state institutions to tackle the economic crisis, protect the national economy, and ease the burdens on citizens.

Mubarak said the Houthi militia’s ongoing economic war and attacks on oil facilities have severely hurt Yemen's economy. This has led to a sharp decline in the value of the rial, rising prices for basic goods, and worsened the humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

Mubarak stressed that the right to export oil and strengthen the national treasury is vital for the people, and the government is determined to stop the Houthis from blocking this crucial resource.

He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fighting corruption, improving transparency, and strengthening accountability in state institutions.

Steps will be taken to improve oversight and accountability, reiterated the prime minister.



Biden, Macron to Declare 60-Day Ceasefire between Hezbollah, Israel on Tuesday

 Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
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Biden, Macron to Declare 60-Day Ceasefire between Hezbollah, Israel on Tuesday

 Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)
Smoke and flame rise after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP)

US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron will declare on Tuesday morning a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Asharq Al-Awsat learned from widely informed sources on Monday.

Washington has spoken of “cautious optimism” that the US proposal for a ceasefire could be a success. The proposal calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the area between the Blue Line and Litani River in a manner that can be verified. In return Israeli forces will withdraw from the regions they occupied since they carried out their limited invasion of Lebanon.

The discussions the US government had on the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire were positive and are headed in the right direction towards a deal, the White House said on Monday.

"We're close," said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby. "The discussions ... were constructive, and we believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction. But, yeah, nothing is done until everything is done." 

The relative positivity prevailed in spite of the ongoing wide-scale military operations between Israel and Hezbollah in the South and Israel’s air raids deep in Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has also fired rockets deep in Israel, reaching Tel Aviv.

Analysts have said the intense attacks suggest that both Israel and Hezbollah are trying to maximize their leverage as diplomats conduct what they hope is a final round of ceasefire talks, reported the New York Times on Monday.

The New York Times reported on Friday that the terms included a 60-day truce during which Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters pull back from border areas and the Lebanese Army and a United Nations peacekeeping force increase their presence in a buffer zone.

But officials have also warned that the two sides may not be able to finalize a deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced pressure from right-wing allies not to end the military campaign.

Israel’s hard-line national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said in a social media post on Monday that the proposed deal would be a “historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.”

Observers meanwhile told Asharq Al-Awsat that all pending issues related to the US proposal have been resolved from the Lebanese side, while Israel has some lingering reservations.

Israeli officials said Netanyahu’s security Cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire proposal.

Two officials confirmed the Cabinet meeting is set for Tuesday, but they said it is still not clear whether the decision-making body will vote to approve the deal.

The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations.