Yemen/Anadolu

Yemeni authorities discussed on Wednesday with the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia ways to enhance security and stability in the oil-rich Shabwa governorate (south), coinciding with the resumption of oil exports after a halt that began in late 2022.

The official Yemeni news agency (Saba) reported that Shabwa Governor Awad bin al-Wazir met with the commander of the Arab coalition forces in the governorate, Brigadier General Musleh al-Otaibi, where the meeting discussed enhancing joint coordination to serve the governorate and strengthen the foundations of security and stability.

The two sides also discussed supporting development and reconstruction efforts and continuing to implement service and development projects, contributing to improving basic services and meeting the aspirations of the governorate's residents for sustainable development.

The governor of Shabwa praised the support provided by the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy for the efforts of the local authority and enhancing the capabilities of security and military institutions and basic service sectors in the governorate.

For his part, Brigadier General al-Otaibi affirmed the coalition forces' leadership's keenness to continue supporting the local authority in Shabwa and enhancing cooperation and coordination in various fields to serve the security and stability of the governorate and contribute to supporting the development process and raising the level of readiness to face current challenges.

These talks come at a time when the Yemeni government has begun resuming oil exports.

In this regard, Yemeni Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Numan confirmed in a statement to Saudi Al-Arabiya channel that the government 'has already started exporting oil.'

Numan indicated that the government gave the Houthi group a 'last chance' to engage in a path that ends the crisis, while emphasizing that the country cannot remain in a state of 'neither war nor peace.'

On Monday, Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced the resumption of oil exports, affirming that its revenues will be directed to support the general budget, pay salaries, and improve services.

Yemeni oil exports have been halted since late 2022 following attacks by the Houthi group on oil export ports in areas under the control of the internationally recognized government, including Shabwa governorate.

Shabwa is one of the most prominent Yemeni governorates rich in oil and gas, while the Yemeni government says it has lost billions of dollars due to the halt in oil exports, which used to provide about 70 percent of its revenues.