Renewed Gulf Support for Yemen’s Reforms Amid Tough Economic Challenges

Al-Alimi meets with Ambassador al-Minaikher at the Maashiq Palace in Aden. (Government media)
Al-Alimi meets with Ambassador al-Minaikher at the Maashiq Palace in Aden. (Government media)
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Renewed Gulf Support for Yemen’s Reforms Amid Tough Economic Challenges

Al-Alimi meets with Ambassador al-Minaikher at the Maashiq Palace in Aden. (Government media)
Al-Alimi meets with Ambassador al-Minaikher at the Maashiq Palace in Aden. (Government media)

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and Prime Minister Salem bin Braik reaffirmed the central role of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in stabilizing Yemen’s economy, advancing reforms, and helping the country recover from the damage caused by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

Speaking in the interim capital, Aden, the officials met separately with the GCC ambassador to Yemen, Sarhan al-Minaikher, focusing on comprehensive reforms, economic recovery, and strengthening state institutions.

According to Yemen’s state media, al-Alimi and the ambassador reviewed political and economic developments, including progress on government reforms and their recent impact on the Yemeni riyal.

Al-Alimi stressed that fiscal and monetary improvements require continued Gulf and international support to consolidate gains and move toward sustained recovery.

He expressed deep appreciation for the GCC’s longstanding backing of Yemen’s constitutional legitimacy, describing Gulf assistance as the country’s first line of defense against threats to its identity and national economy.

Bin Braik likewise emphasized the GCC’s crucial role in supporting Yemen’s “courageous” economic and institutional reforms, pursued despite the war and the Houthis’ obstructionist policies.

Al-Minaikher, for his part, conveyed the greetings of GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi and reiterated the Council’s full support for Yemen’s economic reform agenda.

The two also discussed future partnership initiatives, including follow-up to Aden’s First National Energy Conference, which outlined a national vision to address Yemen’s chronic electricity crisis.

Bin Braik said Yemen is counting on GCC partners to help develop sustainable energy projects, upgrade power infrastructure, and introduce technologies that reduce production costs and improve grid efficiency, limiting the Houthis’ ability to use electricity as a political tool.

Al-Minaikher stressed the GCC’s commitment to supporting the reforms, noting that early indicators are “promising and worth building upon.”



2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Two people were killed and three were wounded by falling debris after air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the government media office said on Thursday.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X.


Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a phone call on Wednesday from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Iran’s continued assaults against Saudi Arabia.

Starmer expressed his country’s strong condemnation of Iran’s attacks highlighting their threat to security and stability, during the phone call with the Crown Prince.

The two leaders discussed regional security amid the ongoing military escalation, its impact on regional and global stability, and the associated risks to international maritime security and the global economy.


UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
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UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)

The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Iran's "egregious attacks" on Gulf countries and demanded full "reparation" for all victims of its strikes.

The 47-member council backed a resolution brought by the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan demanding Iran immediately "cease all unprovoked attacks.”

The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution "condemns in the strongest terms the egregious attacks" by Iran, condemns Tehran's actions aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz and voices "grave concerns at the Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure.”

It demands Iran "immediately and unconditionally cease all unprovoked attacks" against the GCC states and Jordan and "provide full, effective and prompt reparation to all victims for the damage and injury caused by its attacks.”

Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of the resolution, which reflects the international community’s rejection of Iranian attacks and its condemnation of these brutal acts as grave violations of human rights.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and other countries in the region “constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and a clear breach of international conventions and international law.”

“Targeting countries that are not party to the conflict is a blatant act of aggression that cannot be justified or accepted,” it added.