Reports emerging on Monday alleged that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, a prominent member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and head of the Southern Transitional Council, transferred $20 million from a government revenue account to a personal bank account in London.

Funds Diverted Amidst Financial Collapse
Sources cited by Belqees TV claim that al-Zubaidi, who also chairs the Supreme Committee for Sovereign and Local Resources, directed the Ministry of Finance to execute the transfer. This alleged financial maneuver comes at a critical time for the Yemeni government, led by Prime Minister Salem bin Breik, which is reportedly teetering on the brink of complete bankruptcy and struggling to meet its financial commitments, including public sector salaries.

Yemen is currently facing a dire economic crisis. The government has been unable to curb the rapid depreciation of its national currency or stabilize the monetary system, sparking widespread public anxiety over a potential new surge in prices for essential goods and foodstuffs. The nation's economic downturn is largely attributed to the cessation of oil exports since October 2022, a direct consequence of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group. The halt in oil revenues, historically the primary source of foreign currency for the state treasury, has significantly widened the deficit in both the general budget and the balance of payments.