The Yemeni government said yesterday that, it is facing financial difficulties, following a drop in public revenues, caused by Houthi attacks on oil export ports.
Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik, said at a cabinet meeting, in the southern port city of Aden that, Houthi-launched attacks have caused losses estimated at one billion U.S. dollars, according to a statement reported by state-run Saba news agency.
He emphasised the financial difficulties the government is currently grappling with, in fulfilling its responsibilities, including improving public services and paying salaries across the country.
To address the challenges, the prime minister established a committee, comprising six ministries and the Central Bank, which will oversee the implementation of an extensive economic, financial, and monetary reform programme.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Saadi, Yemen’s permanent representative to the United Nations, stressed the need to pressure the Houthis to stop targeting vital facilities and infrastructure.
Al-Saadi said, “The violations of the Houthis threaten the peace process and cause economic harm to all Yemenis.”
He called for support in enabling the Yemeni government to resume oil exports, to meet urgent financial obligations and address citizens’ needs.
Over the past few months, the Houthi militia in Yemen conducted drone strikes on government-controlled oil ports in Hadramout and Shabwa provinces.
These repeated assaults resulted in the suspension of oil exports, which serve as a vital source of income for the impoverished Arab nation’s government.
The Houthis have consistently stated that, their objective in targeting these ports is to thwart the exploitation of Yemen’s “sovereign wealth.”
Source: Nam News Network (NNN)