On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Ibrahim Ali Haidan, Yemen's Minister of Interior in the internationally recognized government, announced an extension for the use of old identity cards in all financial and non-financial transactions.

In a memo issued by Minister Haidan, which was reviewed by Barran Press, he instructed Deputy Minister Mohammed bin Salem Aboud to monitor the implementation of the new smart ID cards and to take strict measures against violators through the governors of security in various provinces.

The minister's directive allows the continued use of old identity cards for an additional six months, acknowledging the current circumstances and providing citizens with more time to obtain the new electronic smart cards.

On November 30, 2024, Deputy Minister Aboud directed both public and private banks, as well as commercial and service institutions, to accept the new smart ID cards in all official, commercial, and service transactions.

Aboud emphasized the mandatory use of the new smart ID card for all financial and non-financial dealings, stressing that the use of old cards would be phased out entirely.

This announcement followed reports of banks and exchange companies refusing to accept the new smart ID cards issued by civil service branches in government-controlled provinces.

Earlier, soldiers and citizens who held the new smart cards spoke to Barran Press about their difficulties in having the cards accepted by commercial banks and exchange companies.