IMF declares suspension of Yemen loan amid Saudi airstrikesquote:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced its indefinite suspension of a loan to Yemen, citing a “host of uncertainties” after Saudi Arabia’s military aggression against the country.
“Given the host of uncertainties surrounding Yemen at the moment, the first review... is postponed until the situation clarifies,” IMF spokesman William Murray said on Thursday at a regularly scheduled news conference.
Murray added that he could not state when the situation will improve enough to resume the loan package or estimate the economic impact of the Yemeni crisis in the region.
He said that he was not aware of any “recent contacts” between the IMF and the new Houthi-led administration in Yemen.
The IMF had approved a $552.9-million line of credit for Yemen back in September 2014 to assist the impoverished Arab nation to maintain its economic stability and promote inclusive growth.
The first installment of the three-year loan, about USD 74 million, was immediately made available to the then-US-backed government in Sana’a. The next payment was due in the first quarter of this year, following an IMF review of the loan-supported reform program.
The IMF announcement comes against the backdrop of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia on Sana’a as well as the northern city of Sa’ada and Ta’izz in the south on Thursday.
Based on early reports, the Saudi airstrikes have so far claimed the lives of 18 civilians with more deaths feared.
Despite Riyadh’s claims that it is attacking Ansarullah positions, Saudi warplanes have flattened a number of homes near the Sana’a International Airport.
The blatant invasion of Yemen’s sovereignty by the Saudi government comes as international bodies, especially the United Nations, remain silent regarding the issue. The UN has so far failed to show any reaction whatsoever to violation of the sovereignty of one of its members by Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia's invasion of Yemen unwise, illegitimate: Hezbollahquote:
The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has slammed as “unwise” and “illegitimate” Saudi Arabia’s invasion of Yemen.
“Hezbollah strongly condemns the US-Saudi aggression targeting the brotherly people of Yemen and the national army and vital installations,” a statement from Hezbollah’s media office said on Thursday.
The condemnation by the Lebanese resistance movement came after warplanes of the Saudi Air Force bombed the positions of the Ansarullah fighters and launched attacks against the Sana’a International Airport and a nearby military air base early on Thursday. Based on early reports, 18 civilians have been killed in the airstrikes.
Hezbollah further warned of the repercussions of the Saudi invasion, “which lacks wisdom and rationale and legal legitimacy,... [and] is moving the region towards more tensions and risks.”
The Saudi invasion of Yemen drew condemnation from many countries such as Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on Saudi Arabia to immediately cease its military aggression against Yemen.
Speaking to Press TV on the situation in Yemen on Thursday, he said, "We believe that the situation in Yemen is a very dangerous situation and we advise against any escalation because we believe that any interference in Yemen will simply lead to further loss of human life as it has since this morning.
Stressing the need for promoting dialog in the Arab country, he said, “We believe that there is an urgent need for dialog, for understanding among the Yemenis without external interference and that's what we hope we get."
Supporters of Houthi revolutionaries take to streets in capital, Sana'aquote:
Tens of thousands of Yemeni people from all walks of life have taken to the streets of the capital, Sana'a, to voice their anger at the Saudi invasion of their country.
The Yemeni people, who gathered in downtown Sana’a on Thursday, condemned the Saudi interference in Yemen’s internal affairs.
The demonstrators also vowed to respond to the conspiracy of the United States and Saudi Arabia against the people of Yemen.
The anti-Saudi march, which was called by the leadership of Ansarullah movement, came after warplanes of the Saudi Air Force bombed the positions of the Ansarullah fighters and launched attacks against the Sana'a airport and the Dulaimi airbase early on Thursday.
Despite Riyadh's claims that it is attacking Ansarullah positions, Saudi warplanes have flattened a number of homes near Sana’a international airport. Based on early reports, the Saudi airstrikes on Yemen have so far claimed the lives of 18 civilians with more deaths feared, Yemeni sources said.
Following the Saudi invasion, forces loyal to fugitive president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, seized control of the international airport in the southern port city of Aden.
Troops of the 39th Armored Brigade, who are allied to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, had earlier seized the facility.
According to Yemeni TV, anti-aircraft guns fired at Saudi warplanes invading Sana’a.
The blatant invasion of Yemen’s sovereignty by Saudi government comes against a backdrop of total silence on the part of international bodies, especially the United Nations. The world body has so far failed to show any reaction whatsoever to violation of the sovereignty of one of its members by Riyadh.