Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s ordered that $2 billion be deposited in Yemen’s central bank has been widely welcomed.

The King ordered on Wednesday the amount to be deposited to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, boost the economic and financial situation of the country and improve the exchange rate of its currency.

“Saving the rial means saving Yemenis from inevitable hunger,” Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Bin Daghr said on Wednesday.

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen hailed the directive of King Salman to support the Yemeni people and strengthen their economy by depositing $2 billion in the account of Yemen’s central bank.

The OIC chief emphasized that this initiative would help alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, caused by the crimes of the Houthi militias, and support the legitimate government in the country.

Announcing the King’s directive, the Interior Ministry said in a statement, “To address the deteriorating economic situation faced by the Yemeni people as a result of the actions of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued a directive to transfer a $2 billion deposit to the central bank of Yemen, in continuation of the Kingdom’s support of the Yemeni people.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms its continued support for the Yemeni government and its assistance to carry out its duties to restore security and stability in Yemen,” said the statement.

The Kingdom has so far deposited $3 billion in Yemen’s central bank as part of its continued efforts to help the Yemeni people.

The statement said the fresh deposit was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people caused by the crimes and violations of the Iranian Houthi militias who are stealing the country’s wealth and confiscating the revenues of the government departments.

It said the Houthis were selling oil byproducts, collecting revenues in Yemeni rials and manipulating the exchange rates.

“The Houthis are exploiting this situation without any religious or moral deterrence to realize their own personal interests,” it said.