Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – On December 18, 2024, the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council convened to address significant local developments, particularly the worsening economic, developmental, service, and humanitarian conditions exacerbated by Houthi militia attacks on oil facilities and international shipping routes.

The meeting, held in the Saudi capital and chaired by President Rashad Al-Alimi, included all council members: Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, Sultan Al-Arada, Tariq Saleh, Abdulrahman Al-Mahrimi, Abdullah Al-Alimi, Othman Majali, and Faraj Al-Bahsani, as reported by the official Yemeni news agency Saba.

During the session, council members provided briefings on their assigned tasks and reviewed government reports on the implementation of comprehensive reforms, as well as decisions and recommendations aimed at enhancing security, stability, and living conditions for citizens.

The council also discussed strategies to mitigate the fallout from the Houthi militia's destructive actions against the national economy, ensuring the state can meet its obligations, including employee salaries and essential goods imports.

The council praised the outcomes of its recent meeting with ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, the United States, the UAE, France, and the UK, which reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Presidential Leadership Council, the government, and key international allies in supporting peace, security, and stability in Yemen.

The council expressed appreciation for the unified stance of the international community regarding the Yemeni crisis and its steadfast commitment to supporting the council, the Yemeni government, and the humanitarian needs of the people.

In light of the current challenges, the council reiterated the urgent need for international support to address immediate priorities, especially the economic rescue plan and strategies to tackle the intertwined challenges posed by ongoing Houthi escalation and its catastrophic effects on humanitarian conditions.

The council emphasized the importance of improving public services and resources, advancing reform efforts, and implementing integrity mechanisms to combat corruption in coordination with regional and international partners.

Recent diplomatic activities in Riyadh have included a series of separate meetings between council members and ambassadors from the U.S., U.K., and France, as well as the commander of the Arab coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government.