This support comes in response to a request from the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council’s Head, Rashad Mohammed, aiming to support the Yemeni people amidst the difficult economic challenges the country faces, according to Al-Riyadh newspaper. This announcement confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen. The initiative aims to enhance economic, financial, and monetary stability in Yemen, supporting efforts to implement economic reforms with transparent governance mechanisms. This step reflects the Kingdom’s keenness to achieve security, stability, and development for the brotherly Yemeni people and to strengthen the stability elements in the region.
A Yemeni government source stated last Saturday that the Yemeni Leadership Council’s Head, Rashad Al-Alimi, requested the Saudi-led Arab coalition to intervene to contain tension within the council due to decisions issued unilaterally by council member Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, which could deepen disagreements and undermine consensus among the council’s represented components. It was added that the government is expected to invite the Head and members of the Yemeni Leadership Council to meet to contain tension, resolve disputes, and agree on a mechanism for issuing decisions to maintain consensus among all forces represented in the council.
In contrast, the Southern Transitional Council announced through its spokesperson Anwar Al-Tamimi on his Facebook page, the council’s full commitment to supporting the government and enhancing the presence and performance of state institutions. He considered that the recent decisions issued by the council’s Head and Leadership Council member Aidarous Al-Zubaidi are part of activating these institutions and supporting the necessary reforms long awaited without serious actions from the Leadership Council.
For the tenth consecutive year, the Arab country suffers from an ongoing power struggle between the internationally recognized government and the ‘Ansar Allah’ group, reflecting its repercussions across various aspects. This has caused a humanitarian crisis described by the United Nations as one of the worst humanitarian crises worldwide. Since September 2014, the ‘Ansar Allah’ group has controlled most provinces in central and northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. On March 26, 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition launched military operations supporting the Yemeni army to reclaim these areas from the group’s control.
The ongoing war in Yemen, until late 2021, has claimed the lives of 377,000 people and inflicted cumulative economic losses estimated at $126 billion. According to United Nations reports, 80% of the population, approximately 35 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
