Marib GPC Leader Warns Against Reversing Central Bank Decisions, Calls for "Decisive War"

Sheikh Abdulwahed al-Qabali Namran, head of the General People's Congress (GPC) branch in Marib Governorate (northeastern Yemen), stated on Thursday, July 11, 2024, that the decisions of the Yemeni Central Bank in Aden "have dealt a fatal blow to the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization."

Al-Qabali, in a post on the social media platform X, monitored by Barran Press, stated that "the Houthi media is using all means to wage psychological warfare aimed at breaking the morale of those resisting their sectarian project, both inside and outside Yemen."

He added, "This has been observed in recent days through the Houthi militia leaders, backed by Iran, issuing threats and intimidation to both domestic and foreign actors, following the recent steps taken by the legitimate government, most notably the Central Bank decisions." He described these threats as "hollow."

Al-Qabali pointed out that the Houthis' inability to confront these decisions has driven them to escalate in order to renege on previous peace agreements. He urged the government to "remain steadfast in its position and not back down from these steps that have rattled the Houthis and caused them to resort to threats."

The Marib GPC leader believes the Houthis' escalation proves that "the previous negotiations they participated in were merely intended to buy time and acquire more weapons to prepare for a decisive battle."

Al-Qabali warned against reversing these decisions, considering any retreat "to have disastrous consequences both domestically and internationally, and will benefit the Houthi group."

He added, "The legitimate government is obligated to prepare for a decisive war, as I believe that the real war has not yet begun. We are confident that victory over the Iranian-backed militia will be our ally, by God's will, without a doubt."

Earlier, the leader of the Houthi group, internationally classified as a terrorist organization, threatened in a televised speech broadcast on the group's Al-Masirah channel to target Saudi airports and ports, accusing Saudi Arabia of being behind the recent decisions of the Yemeni Central Bank.

In a series of decisions, Governor Ahmed al-Maabqi, the Central Bank governor, revoked the licenses of 26 exchange companies last week, ordering the closure of their branches indefinitely for violating bank decisions and instructions.

These decisions came after two previous decisions: imposing a unified network for domestic transfers, banning dealings with 12 unlicensed electronic payment entities, and permanently halting operations of local financial transfer networks owned by banks, financial institutions, or exchange companies operating in Yemen.

On May 30, the Yemeni Central Bank in Aden declared as the temporary capital of the country, issued a decision to halt dealings with six Yemeni banks and financial institutions after the 60-day deadline for implementing its decision to relocate their main headquarters to Aden expired.

The Central Bank also issued another decision urging all individuals, businesses, companies, other entities, and financial and banking institutions holding old banknotes issued before 2016, of all denominations, to deposit them within a maximum of 60 days from the date of the announcement.