His Excellency Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for providing new economic support to the Republic of Yemen amounting to 1.3 billion Saudi riyals. Al-Alimi explained that this generous support will be allocated to bolstering the state's general budget, covering operational expenses, and paying employee salaries, thus representing a lifeline for the struggling Yemeni economy.
The context of support in a protracted crisis
This support comes in the context of the Yemeni crisis, which has been ongoing since the Houthi militia's coup against the legitimate government in 2014, followed by a Saudi-led military intervention in 2015 under the name "Operation Decisive Storm," aimed at restoring the internationally recognized government. Years of war have led to the near-total collapse of government institutions and a sharp deterioration in the economic and humanitarian situation, with millions of Yemenis suffering from food insecurity and the disruption of basic services. The Kingdom has consistently provided financial and humanitarian support to the Yemeni government to alleviate human suffering and prevent the complete collapse of the state.
The importance and expected impact of support
Domestically, this support is vital for the Yemeni government to fulfill its basic obligations to its citizens. By ensuring the payment of public sector salaries, it helps stimulate the local economy and improve the purchasing power of thousands of families. It also strengthens the government's ability to provide essential services in critical sectors such as health and education, and helps stabilize the Yemeni rial, which has experienced significant depreciation, thereby curbing inflation and easing the burden on citizens.
Regional and international dimensions
Regionally, this support underscores Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to supporting the legitimate Yemeni government and confronting regional security challenges, reflecting the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Yemen’s stability is considered an integral part of the security of the Kingdom and the entire region, especially given the threats targeting international navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Internationally, this support aligns with international efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen, providing the legitimate government with a solid economic foundation that will enable it to engage more effectively in the political process and future negotiations. Al-Alimi emphasized that this initiative “represents an important message of confidence in the recovery process and the government’s ability to revitalize its national institutions and consolidate security and stability,” stressing that the partnership with the Kingdom “is not a circumstantial matter, but rather a strategic choice for a brighter future.”.
