On August 2, a presidential mediation committee managed to broker an agreement to suspend confrontations between the Yemeni army and Houthi rebels in Jawf. Just one day after the government announced the creation of a ministerial committee focusing on mitigating the implications of increased fuel prices, Houthi rebels took to the streets on August 4 to protest against the rise in fuel prices.
NEW ANALYSIS
Yemen’s oil subsidy reform exposes failure to address real problems
Fuad Rajeh writes in Global Post that while lifting oil subsidies will improve Yemen’s economic indicators and increase state revenues, such a reform will definitely deepen the people’s suffering. Although the government has carried out a series of development projects, Rajeh adds that Yemenis still don’t think the current government is able to carry out robust reforms to benefit from the lifted subsidies. [Global Post, 8/3/2014]
POLITICAL PROCESS
Army breaks up protests as Yemen raises fuel prices
Fuel prices in Yemen nearly doubled on July 30 as the government ended a fuel subsidy program costing around $22 billion over the last decade, according to a new ministry of finance study. Lifting fuel subsidies sparked scattered demonstrations that resulted in one fatality in Sana’a, as authorities quickly dispersed protesters. [QNA, Saba, Finance Ministry, 7/31/2014]
Yemen introduces measures to curb government spending
The Yemeni government this month began implementing a reform package to address the country’s financial problems as part of a broader financial and administrative reform plan. Government spending reductions include a moratorium on the purchase of cars for supreme authority employees. [Al-Shorfa, 7/28/2014]
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Yemen repatriates eight Saudi al-Qaeda suspects
Yemen repatriated eight Saudis wanted for suspected links to al-Qaeda on July 31. Two of the suspects had been jailed and later released from prison in Saudi Arabia before making their way into Yemen. [The Daily Star, 7/31/2014]
Saudi Arabia intensifies border security with Yemen
Saudi security forces intensified operations on both land and sea borders during Eid al-Fitr holiday. Arrests on the border during Ramadan were mostly Yemenis and African nationals, the latter were usually transported to the Saudi-Yemeni border for a fee by smugglers and were seeking to enter Saudi illegally. [Asharq Al Awasat, 7/29/2014]
SECURITY
Houthis protest over fuel prices after ceasefire was reached in Jawf
On August 2, a presidential mediation committee managed to broker an agreement to suspend confrontations between the Yemeni army and Houthi rebels in Jawf. Just one day after the government held a meeting and announced the creation of a ministerial committee focusing on mitigating the implications of increased fuel prices, Houthi rebels took to the streets on August 4 to protest against the rise in fuel prices. [Al Masdar (Arabic), 8/4/2014]
Suspected al-Qaeda militants kill nine Yemeni soldiers
On August 4, a group of suspected al-Qaeda militants attacked a security checkpoint on a main road in Hadhramawt, killing six soldiers. On August 2, three soldiers were killed in a similar attack in Shabwah. Authorities deployed troops to Hadhramawt in response to the attacks. [Reuters, Al Masdar (Arabic), 8/4/2014]
Three killed in an attempt to fix an oil pipeline in Marib
Three people were killed in clashes between the army and armed tribesmen on August 3 after a mortar shell hit a house in Marib, killing a mother and her two children. Clashes erupted after tribesmen prevented engineers from reaching the damaged section of an oil pipeline that was blown up last month. [Business Standard, 08/3/2014]
Two university professors released from Ansar al-Sharia
Mediation efforts carried out by the government succeeded in obtaining the release of two professors at al-Baida University from the grips of Ansar al-Sharia on July 31, but failed to secure the release of Khaleel al-Makhlafi, a Yemeni security officer. Al-Makhlafi was the target of the kidnapping and is said to have the capability of manufacturing explosives. [Al Masdar (Arabic), 7/31/2014]
Senior Yemeni officer gunned down in Abyan
Unidentified militants gunned down a senior Yemeni army officer in Abyan on July 29. Abdullah al-Maaraji, the slain officer was the commander of the Yemeni army’s infantry brigade that fought against al-Qaeda in Lawdar in 2012. [Yemen Post, 7/29/2014]
Yemen IDPs mull return to Amran after ceasefire
At least 35,000 have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) by recent fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces in Amran. IDPs are looking to return to their homes following a recent Houthi withdrawal, but they face significant challenges. [IRIN, 7/31/2014]
ECONOMIC AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
World Bank grants additional $50 million to improve access to basic services in Yemen
The World Bank approved a $50 million grant on August 1 to support the government’s efforts to improve access to basic services for underserved communities. The additional funds are destined for the Community and Local Development Program (CLDP), a core component of the Social Fund for Development Phase IV Project (SFD IV). [World Bank, Saba, 8/2/2014]