Yemen’s PLC Stresses Need for Mobilization of ‘Capabilities’ to End Houthi Coup

Yemen’s National Defense Council gathered in Aden after the Houthi attacks on the oil export ports in Hadramout and Shabwa (Saba News Agency)
Yemen’s National Defense Council gathered in Aden after the Houthi attacks on the oil export ports in Hadramout and Shabwa (Saba News Agency)
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Yemen’s PLC Stresses Need for Mobilization of ‘Capabilities’ to End Houthi Coup

Yemen’s National Defense Council gathered in Aden after the Houthi attacks on the oil export ports in Hadramout and Shabwa (Saba News Agency)
Yemen’s National Defense Council gathered in Aden after the Houthi attacks on the oil export ports in Hadramout and Shabwa (Saba News Agency)

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has stressed the need for mobilizing “capabilities” and “efforts” to end the coup waged by Houthi militias and restore state institutions. Last Saturday, the Yemeni National Defense Council declared Houthis a terrorist group.

Following the designation, the internationally recognized Yemeni government will take strict measures against people and entities that support Houthis.

The PLC’s call for action and mobilization of capabilities come against the backdrop of expectations for the Yemeni government ordering the sanctioning of senior Houthi leaders and their affiliates in the coming few days.

Moreover, the government will likely make decisions in the telecommunications and transportation sectors to further tighten the noose on Houthi funding channels. 

PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi had convened a meeting that was attended by all PLC members save for Faraj Salmin al-Buhsani, according to Yemeni official sources.

The Yemeni leaders reviewed reports and briefings on the country’s internal affairs. They also examined the repercussions of threats made by Houthi terrorists.

“The meeting checked options for dealing with Houthi threats to protect the interests of the Yemeni people, global energy supplies, and freedom of international navigation,” reported the official news agency, Saba.

The PLC reassured Yemenis, relief organizations, and the private sector that humanitarian and commercial activity will receive special consideration and be kept aside when implementing the procedures and mechanisms entailed by the National Defense Council’s classification of Houthi militias as terrorists. 

Furthermore, the PLC commended the “honorable” positions taken by the Arab Coalition.

Houthi attacks and violations drew massive Arab and international condemnation especially after the Iran-backed group waged an assault with explosive drones on oil terminals in the Hadramout and Shabwa governorates.



Syria Unable to Import Wheat or Fuel Due to US Sanctions, Trade Minister Says

Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
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Syria Unable to Import Wheat or Fuel Due to US Sanctions, Trade Minister Says

Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)

Syria is unable to make deals to import fuel, wheat or other key goods due to strict US sanctions and despite many countries wanting to do so, Syria's new trade minister said.

In an interview with Reuters at his office in Damascus, Maher Khalil al-Hasan said Syria's new ruling administration had managed to scrape together enough wheat and fuel for a few months but the country faces a "catastrophe" if sanctions are not frozen or lifted soon.

Hasan is a member of the new caretaker government set up by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group after it launched a lightning offensive that toppled autocratic President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8 after 13 years of civil war.

The sanctions were imposed during Assad's rule, targeting his government and also state institutions such as the central bank.

Russia and Iran, both major backers of the Assad government, previously provided most of Syria's wheat and oil products but both stopped doing so after the opposition factions triumphed and Assad fled to Moscow.

The US is set to announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while maintaining its strict sanctions regime, people briefed on the matter told Reuters on Monday.

The exact impact of the expected measures remains to be seen.

The decision by the outgoing Biden administration aims to send a signal of goodwill to Syria's people and its new rulers, and pave the way for improving basic services and living conditions in the war-ravaged country.

Washington wants to see Damascus embark on an inclusive political transition and to cooperate on counterterrorism and other matters.

Hasan told Reuters he was aware of reports that some sanctions may soon be eased or frozen.