Information Minister: Houthi militia spreads false victory claims; Central Bank’s measures meet objectives.
Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, has accused the Houthi militia, which is backed by Iran, of fabricating false heroics and promoting illusory victories. This comes in the wake of the announcement by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, about an agreement between the legitimate government and the militias on several measures to de-escalate tensions, particularly in relation to the banking sector and Yemeni airlines.
In a press statement, Al-Eryani explained that the measures taken by the Central Bank of Yemen last April were fundamentally aimed at exerting pressure on the Houthi militia to cease their destructive practices against the banking and financial sector. These measures were also intended to mitigate the catastrophic impact of halted oil exports on the economy and the national currency and to improve living conditions across the nation.
Al-Eryani highlighted that these actions have achieved their goals, affirmed the state’s legal standing, and demonstrated the Central Bank of Yemen’s ability to exercise its exclusive rights in managing monetary policy, protecting the banking sector and depositors, enhancing oversight of banks, and their external transactions. He stressed the government’s continuous commitment, despite having leverage over the militia, to keep the economic file neutral and shield citizens from any repercussions under the challenging circumstances they face.
He further stated that the measures revealed the Houthi militia’s vulnerability, showcasing the government’s capacity to exert pressure on the militia across all state institutions. This has proven the government’s ability to make decisions that could escalate the militia’s outcry at any moment, affirming the world’s recognition of it as the legitimate party. Al-Eryani also noted that the government’s firm policy has been more effective in pressing the militia towards peace efforts than any other pressures, especially when targeting their sensitive weaknesses.
Al-Eryani pointed out that governmental pressure successfully forced the Houthi militia to revoke illegal decisions against commercial banks and to halt any future unilateral economic actions, including the issuance of counterfeit currency. This pressure also compelled them to negotiate on resolving all economic issues, which he described as a blow to their bravado and statements by Hussein Al-Ezzi that they would not engage in any economic negotiations.
The minister underscored that the Houthi militia’s reaction to the crisis clearly demonstrated their exploitation of the war, embezzlement of billions of Riyals, and redirection of these funds to finance their terrorist activities instead of using them to pay employee salaries and improve living conditions in their controlled areas.
Regarding the crisis with Yemenia Yemen Airways, Al-Eryani clarified that the resumption of flights between Sanaa and Jordan and the initiation of flights to Cairo and India were extensions of the facilities provided by the government during the UN truce, aimed at enabling citizens, including the sick, job seekers, and students, to travel.
Al-Eryani added that the government has reiterated its commitment to the Yemeni people’s interests and its awareness of the severe economic and humanitarian situation, especially in areas under Houthi control, in light of recent developments, including the aggressive Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah. He criticized the Houthi militia’s disregard for the grave consequences of their hostile behavior and their use of the Yemeni people as hostages to further the Iranian agenda in the region.
He highlighted the government’s strategic stance in supporting peace efforts led by Saudi Arabia to initiate a comprehensive political process that meets the aspirations of all Yemenis in restoring state institutions, security, stability, and development, in accordance with nationally, regionally, and internationally agreed references.
Al-Eryani emphasized that any concessions made by the government are not a submission to Houthi blackmail but are for the sake of the Yemeni people, reflecting its responsibility towards all its citizens, including those under Houthi control. The government remains committed to protecting national achievements and not compromising them in zero-sum battles with the militia. The government supports any initiatives that prioritize the people’s interest over any other considerations or agendas.
In contrast, Al-Eryani remarked that the Houthi militia has consistently shown throughout the conflict, including the recent crisis, that it disregards the suffering of the Yemeni people, loots their resources, seizes their rights, and creates an alternative economy to manage only its interests. This includes profiting from the monetary division, manipulating currency exchange rates, and internal transfer disparities, under the guise of a false stability in the areas forcibly under its control.
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