Appointment of a New Prime Minister, Escalation in the Red Sea, and Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Khulasat –Key Developments:

The number of cholera cases in Yemen has risen to more than 8,000 as of the end of last year, according to a report by the World Health Organization in February 2024. These statistics indicate a likely increase in cases this year due to the decline or cessation of health projects that were previously funded by international organizations in Sana'a and areas controlled by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group.

The decline or cessation has not been limited to the health sector alone; it has extended to many other areas, prompting some organizations to announce their urgent need for funding. In the same month, the UN Refugee Agency announced its need for $100 million to fund cash assistance in Yemen for 2024.

These crises have contributed to Yemen being ranked at the lowest level in the Global Prosperity Index issued by the Legatum Institute, reflecting the severe deterioration of the overall situation in the country.

This comes amid the appointment of a new Prime Minister for Yemen's internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia. It is worth noting that the situation in areas and governorates under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government is not much better than that in the governorates under the control of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group. This was highlighted by the "Taiz Traders Forum," which, in early February 2024, called on all commercial, union, and labor sectors in the governorates under the influence of the internationally recognized Yemeni government to strike in protest against the deteriorating economic conditions, continued currency collapse, and rising prices, leaving citizens unable to bear the consequences of this collapse.

In this digest, "Khulasat" tracks the most important events and developments in Yemen during February 2024, as detailed below.

Politics:

On February 5, 2024, Rashad Al-Alimi, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, issued a decree appointing Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as the Prime Minister, and appointing Maeen Abdul Malik Saeed as his advisor. The decree also stipulated that the members of the internationally recognized Yemeni government would continue to perform their duties as per their existing appointments.

This decree coincided with an announcement by the U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, on the same day regarding his travel to the Gulf to meet with U.S. partners in the region, to discuss ways to halt the ongoing attacks by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group in the Red Sea and to assess progress in the peace process in Yemen.

A few days later, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed the continued efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman to revive the political process to end the Yemeni crisis under the auspices of the United Nations, affirming its support for all efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis based on the three references for a solution, including UN Security Council Resolution 2216, to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

In response, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, through its chief negotiator Mohammed Abdul-Salam, acknowledged meetings between negotiating leaders of the group and Saudi leaders, stating that significant obstacles facing the roadmap had been overcome, according to his claims.

Field Situation:

In the Red Sea, renewed attacks by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group targeted commercial vessels associated with Israeli interests, leading to retaliatory strikes by American and British aircraft. On February 5, 2024, U.S. and British forces conducted new airstrikes on the Al-Kathib area in the Al Mina District, north of Hodeidah. These strikes followed previous strikes on locations in the Saada and Hodeidah governorates.

Following these airstrikes, the leader of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, threatened to escalate actions in the Red Sea if the Israeli offensive on Gaza did not cease. He declared that the U.S. and British airstrikes on Ansar Allah's military sites would not alter the group's stance or diminish its capabilities and operations.

This was followed by another statement from senior Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, who warned Italy that it would become a target if it participated in attacks on sites in Yemen. Al-Houthi's statement came a day after Italy announced its decision to contribute an admiral to lead a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea, joining the effort to protect ships from attacks by the Ansar Allah group.

In this context, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo expressed deep concern during a briefing to the UN Security Council. She stated that the continued drone and missile attacks by Ansar Allah and their threats to maritime navigation in the Red Sea "pose a serious concern and risk further exacerbating the conflict, with potentially significant impacts on international trade."

In southern Yemen's Abyan Governorate, photographer Abdul Karim Al-Abbadi and several soldiers affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council were killed in an explosion. The incident occurred when an improvised explosive device targeted a military vehicle carrying them in Wadi Omran, in the Mudiyah District.

Incidents:

The Yemeni Landmine Observatory reported that 13-year-old Aisha Salem Akeem succumbed to her injuries following a landmine explosion in the Al-Durayhimi District of Hodeidah Governorate.

In a new report, traffic accidents claimed 314 victims, including both fatalities and injuries, in areas controlled by Yemen's internationally recognized government during January 2024. According to a report from the Security Media Center of the Ministry of Interior, 41 people lost their lives, while 273 others sustained varying degrees of injuries due to 351 traffic accidents across the governorates. This represents a 43% increase in casualties compared to December 2023, which recorded 220 victims. The accidents included 243 collisions, 44 rollovers, 60 pedestrian hits, and four cases of individuals falling from vehicles, with material losses exceeding 29 million Yemeni Riyals.

Additionally, in February, thousands of sheep were stranded on an Australian ship due to ongoing attacks in the Red Sea, according to animal welfare organizations, which called for the animals to be offloaded to land.

In Ibb Governorate, the commander of the Special Rapid Intervention Forces, Abu Tariq Al-Nehmi, was killed along with three of his escorts while attempting to arrest suspects in a murder case in the Al-Mashannah District on the western outskirts of Ibb City.

Business and Finance:

The Taiz Traders Forum called on all commercial, union, and labor sectors in the governorates under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government to conduct a partial strike for three days in protest of the deteriorating economic situation.

In a press statement, the forum announced that the strike, coordinated with unions, associations, and civil society organizations, would last for three consecutive days until Thursday, with activities limited to the morning hours until 1 p.m.

The price of "Wazif" fish in Yemen has unexpectedly soared to unprecedented levels, with the price per kilogram of the premium silver-hued variety reaching approximately 6,000 Yemeni Riyals, up from 4,000 Riyals, while the price for the mid-range small sardines has risen to 3,000 Riyals. The UN Refugee Agency announced that it needs $100 million to fund cash assistance in Yemen for 2024. Saudi Arabia has announced a deposit of $250 million into the account of Yemen's Central Bank. Yemeni Coast Guard forces reported the seizure of two smuggling vessels off the coast of Bab al-Mandeb in the southwest of the country. The Japanese government announced a $2 million grant to address food insecurity in Yemen. Yemen ranked at the bottom of the Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index, placing 166th globally.

Rights and Freedoms:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced the establishment of a humanitarian center in Taiz, aimed at expanding aid efforts and addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable communities in the governorate.

The Yemeni Embassy in Jordan has launched an online platform to streamline and facilitate procedures for Yemeni patients seeking medical treatment in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In a statement on its "X" account, the embassy officially launched the platform (gateway-y.com) as the sole official portal for obtaining medical reports from Jordanian hospitals, which are necessary for completing the travel procedures of Yemeni patients wishing to receive treatment in Jordan. The United Nations (UN) has appealed to international donors for $4 billion to fund the 2024 humanitarian response plan in Yemen, aiming to reach millions of people with life-saving aid and protection services and to implement sustainable development programs across the country.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated in a press release that “the 2024 humanitarian response plan requires $2.7 billion to provide urgent life-saving assistance and protection services to more than 18.2 million people, including men, women, boys, and girls in Yemen.”

The release added that the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) also needs $1.3 billion to support millions of Yemenis through sustainable development programs throughout the year.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that three women were killed and seven others were injured in an accident in the "Al-Ruwaik" area near the city of Marib.

A court in Sana'a sentenced 13 individuals to death on charges of "homosexuality," while 35 others have been arrested on similar charges and are currently on trial.

Japan announced that it has provided $32 million to assist migrants and displaced persons in crisis and conflict zones, including Yemen.

Health:

According to recent UN statistics, the number of cholera cases in Yemen has exceeded 8,000, with approximately 21 deaths linked to the disease in 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that cases of cholera/acute watery diarrhea in Yemen increased by more than 5,000 new cases in December 2023, up from around 3,000 cases at the end of November of the same year, with 12 deaths reported across 14 Yemeni governorates. The report highlighted several key factors contributing to the resurgence of cholera in Yemen, including climate change, ongoing conflict, political instability, weakened health systems, increased population movement, poor water and sanitation infrastructure, low vaccination rates for children, and limited public awareness.

Environment:

Yemen's internationally recognized government has signed an agreement to finance and implement water and sanitation projects in the city of Taiz, with a budget exceeding $1 million.

Youth and Sports:

Yemeni boxer Khaled Al-Towaiti secured another victory in his professional boxing career by defeating his American opponent Ira Terry in a fierce featherweight bout. The match took place in the early hours at the Martell Beach Center in North Carolina, USA.

Society:

The Ministry of Endowments and Guidance of Yemen's internationally recognized government inaugurated the Hajj season for the year 1445 in the city of Aden. In a statement, the ministry listed 247 approved establishments for facilitating the pilgrimage. The ministry clarified that the costs for Hajj programs are determined by the responsible authorities in the holy lands, with land travel costing 14,796 Saudi Riyals and air travel 15,250 Saudi Riyals, covering the services outlined in the ministry's official announcement.