Barran Press
President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, met with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Yemen, Falah Al-Hajraf, on Monday, July 15, 2024, to discuss the latest developments in the Yemeni situation and the required regional and international support for ongoing economic and service reforms.
The meeting, according to the official Yemeni news agency "Saba," touched upon the efforts of brotherly and friendly nations to launch a comprehensive political process that meets the aspirations of all Yemenis in restoring state institutions, achieving stability, peace, and development.
President Al-Alimi reiterated his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, his Crown Prince, and the Kuwaiti government for their generous directives to support Yemen Airways with three aircraft and two engines, in response to a presidential request.
He commended Kuwait's commendable stances, its generous humanitarian and developmental interventions, and its unwavering support for the aspirations of the Yemeni people and their political leadership throughout various stages and circumstances.
On June 30, 2024, President Al-Alimi announced Kuwaiti support for Yemen, including the provision of three aircraft and two engines for Yemen Airways.
Al-Alimi considered the new Kuwaiti support as a significant addition to Kuwait's impressive record of commendable stances, generous humanitarian interventions throughout various stages and circumstances alongside the Yemeni people and their political leadership, and its sincere commitment to achieving their aspirations for restoring state institutions, peace, security, stability, and development.
"Saba" reported that the Kuwaiti government had informed the Yemeni government of its approval of a previous request from President Al-Alimi to the Emir of Kuwait regarding support for "rehabilitating the air transport sector through Yemen Airways."
This announcement comes four days after Yemen Airways announced that the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, had seized four of its aircraft at Sana'a International Airport. The airline considered this act a threat to the safety of air navigation in the country, exacerbating the difficulty of operating flights to and from within Yemen.
On June 10, 2024, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council stated that the outcomes of recent consultations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries "will soon yield further support and joint coordination at various levels."
Following his participation in the Manama Summit, Al-Alimi emphasized the Presidential Leadership Council's commitment to "exerting all efforts to fulfill the state's inevitable obligations, primarily paying the salaries of employees and improving basic services provided to citizens in all governorates," according to Saba.
Yemen faces a severe financial crisis, exacerbated by the instability of the local currency. The Yemeni rial has reached its lowest level against foreign currencies in Aden and areas controlled by the Yemeni government, reaching 1706 rials per US dollar, compared to 1676 rials in late April. The Saudi rial also reached 449 rials for sale, compared to 441 rials previously.
The Yemeni economy faces significant challenges due to the currency split imposed by the Houthi group. These challenges intensified following the group's bombing of oil export ports in October 2023, preventing the internationally recognized Yemeni government from exporting oil.
Al-Alimi's meeting with the Kuwaiti ambassador coincides with regional and international efforts to push Yemeni parties to sign a roadmap for ending the nine-year war. However, Yemen harbors concerns that this roadmap might not meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people for lasting and comprehensive peace.
On December 23, 2023, the United Nations announced that Yemeni parties had reached an understanding to commit to a set of measures including implementing a nationwide ceasefire, measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, and engaging in preparations for resuming a comprehensive political process under UN auspices.
The roadmap and peace efforts in Yemen have been stalled by attacks launched by the Houthi group against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf