Barran Press
Yemen's President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, emphasized the importance of "international pressure and punitive measures" against the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, and the international community's responsibility in combating the smuggling of Iranian weapons, under relevant international law.
This statement came during a meeting with the US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, at Al-Alimi's residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two discussed the latest developments in Yemen, regional events, and several issues of mutual interest, according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.
The President briefed the US Ambassador on "domestic developments, including economic and administrative reforms led by the Council and the government, and the required international support to strengthen these reforms across various pathways."
Al-Alimi also addressed "recent human rights violations by the Houthi terrorist militia, targeting dozens of activists and international and UN staff." He considered this "a continuous undermining of opportunities for de-escalation and peace, deepening the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people," according to the agency.
This meeting comes amidst a widespread campaign launched by the Houthi group, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, against international organization staff in areas under their control.
According to a joint statement issued by 116 local organizations, the Houthi group "carried out a synchronized armed campaign in areas under their control (Sana'a, Hodeidah, Sa'ada, and Amran) targeting Yemeni staff working for the UN, international organizations, and civil society organizations on Thursday and Friday (June 6-7, 2024)."
The organizations stated that the number of abductees reached "50 employees from international organizations, UN agencies, and civil society organizations."
This also coincides with government decisions to relocate the main headquarters of local and international banks and institutions from Sana'a Governorate to Aden, declared the temporary capital of the country. Observers view this as a "devastating" blow to the Houthis.