Barran Press
Political parties in Marib, northeastern Yemen, announced their solidarity with businessman Sheikh Hamid Al-Ahmar on October 9, expressing surprise at the U.S. Treasury Department's decision to impose sanctions against him for allegedly financing Hamas.
In a statement reviewed by Barran Press, the parties described the Treasury's actions against Al-Ahmar, a senior member of the Yemeni Islah Party and a member of the Yemeni Parliament, as "exploitative and opportunistic," reflecting what they called the U.S. administration's confusion in handling various regional issues that have been volatile for over a year.
The parties condemned the decision, stating their unequivocal rejection of it, and argued that it targeted a prominent political and popular leader while relying on claims of support for Hamas, which Yemenis from various backgrounds regard as a liberation movement resisting occupation.
According to the parties, the classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization highlights the U.S. administration's complete bias towards Israel, demonstrating a strategic policy of double standards.
The statement also noted that the Houthis had previously seized Al-Ahmar's properties in Sana'a following the September 21, 2014 coup. The parties claimed that the U.S. Treasury's sanctions against several of his companies today align with the Houthis' actions, raising significant questions about the motives behind this decision.
The parties called on the Presidential Leadership Council, the government, political parties, and civil society organizations to express their rejection of this condemned decision, urging the U.S. Treasury to rescind what they termed an unlawful action against a national figure with a significant political and activist history both locally and regionally.
In their statement, the parties reiterated their unwavering support for the steadfast Palestinian people and their just cause, calling on the Yemeni public, as well as Arab and Muslim nations and global allies, to rally around the Palestinian resistance and provide all forms of support until Israeli occupation is defeated and an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital.
They also warned against succumbing to international extortion aimed at pressuring supporters of the Palestinian cause to abandon it in any form.
On October 7, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against Sheikh Hamid Al-Ahmar, nine of his companies, and three Arab businessmen for allegedly financing Hamas.