Aidarous al-Zubaidi, a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and head of the Southern Transitional Council, on Tuesday urged European Union nations to help the internationally recognized government resume oil and gas exports. The plea came during a video conference with EU Ambassador to Yemen, Gabriel Munuera Viñals.

Al-Zubaidi stressed that restoring these exports is crucial for the government to provide essential services like electricity, pay salaries, and curb the rapid depreciation of the local currency, according to the official Saba News Agency. He highlighted the severe economic crisis, exacerbated by Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Hadramout and Shabwah, which have halted exports.

The discussions also covered expanding EU humanitarian and development aid to alleviate suffering and stimulate economic recovery. The EU Ambassador reiterated commitment to supporting UN-led peace efforts and emphasized the importance of government reforms.

Yemen's economy faces significant challenges, compounded by a severe liquidity crisis. The Yemeni Rial has hit record lows against foreign currencies in government-controlled areas, with one U.S. dollar now exceeding 2,750 Rials. This economic strain is intensified by a monetary division imposed by the Houthi group and exacerbated by their October attacks on oil export ports, which have blocked the government's ability to export oil.