ADEN, Jun 12 (NNN-SABA) – Yemen’s Prime Minister, Maeen Abdul-Malik, warned yesterday that, the “economic war” waged by the Houthi rebels against his government, jeopardises prospects for peace in the war-ravaged country.
Speaking during a videoconference meeting with diplomats and representatives from various countries, Abdul-Malik called on the international community and the United Nations, to urgently intervene and support his government.
The Houthi group’s “arbitrary measures against the private sector and banks, and the restrictions it imposed on the movement of individuals, goods, and humanitarian aid” threaten peace efforts and harm Yemen’s citizens, said Abdul-Malik.
The premier vowed to take action against the Houthi economic war and promised to explore “all available options” to tackle this dire situation.
Abdul-Malik stressed the importance of international support for Yemen’s government’s efforts, in countering the Houthi’s economic warfare during this “critical stage.”
Last month, the Yemeni government said that, it is facing financing difficulties following a drop in public revenues caused by Houthi attacks on oil export ports.
During a previous cabinet meeting held in the southern port city of Aden, the premier stated that, the Houthi-launched attacks have caused losses estimated at one billion U.S. dollars.
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.”– NNN-SABA