New Saudi Support for Yemen

A Saudi source informed Reuters today, Tuesday, that "the Kingdom will provide the Presidential Council in Yemen with $1.2 billion to support the country's struggling economy." It was mentioned that "the support will contribute to enhancing security and preventing the outbreak of military clashes," indicating that "it will encourage all parties to engage in dialogue to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis." For his part, a Yemeni official clarified that "the assistance will be used to pay government salaries, provide fuel for power stations, and for food imports." Fighting has largely stopped with the Houthis in northern Yemen over the past year, but the Saudi-backed government stationed in Aden is suffering due to currency depreciation and rising prices. The situation in Aden and southern Yemen, in particular, has deteriorated since several drone attacks by the Houthis targeted oil tankers at southern oil facilities, preventing the government from exporting crude oil from there.