Barran Press
The Yemeni Parliament's leadership tasked the government on Thursday with engaging the U.S. administration to lift sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department against Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar and his businesses, which the Parliament deemed "unsubstantiated allegations."
In a statement reviewed by Barran Press, the Parliament emphasized that the Treasury's actions were based on claims that al-Ahmar categorically denies, linking the issue to the Palestinian cause. The statement noted that people around the world, including Arabs and Muslims, empathize with the Palestinian struggle and oppose the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
The Yemeni Parliament reminded the U.S. administration of the widespread protests by university students and citizens across the United States and Europe, condemning the violence in Gaza and Rafah, similar to sentiments expressed throughout the Arab world.
The statement further asserted that attempts to silence a parliamentarian like Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar would not be accepted by the Parliament or the Yemeni people, calling on the U.S. Treasury to urgently reconsider its decision.
Additionally, the Parliament instructed the government to pursue diplomatic channels to communicate with the U.S. administration, urging the Treasury Department to reverse its decision and avoid harming al-Ahmar's institutions and family.
On October 9, Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar publicly rejected the U.S. Treasury's sanctions, stating that his support for the Palestinian resistance aligns with Yemen's laws and positions. He described the sanctions, announced on October 7, as an unjust example of American bias towards oppression and occupation.
Al-Ahmar articulated that the sanctions contradicted international norms affirming the right of people to resist occupation and pursue freedom. He vowed to take legal action against the decision, asserting it lacked any legal or moral foundation. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause despite the sanctions.
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.