Yemen’s Central Bank revokes licenses of 6 Sanaa banks

Special Yemen’s Central Bank revokes licenses of 6 Sanaa banks
The Central Bank of Yemen in Aden, Yemen, Dec. 13, 2018. (Reuters)
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Updated 11 July 2024
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Yemen’s Central Bank revokes licenses of 6 Sanaa banks

Yemen’s Central Bank revokes licenses of 6 Sanaa banks
  • The action, after the banks defied order to move HQs to Aden, comes as riyal falls to record low against the dollar
  • Government accuses the Houthis of waging an economic war by prohibiting the use of government-printed banknotes

AL-MUKALLA: The Central Bank of Yemen has revoked the licenses of six Yemeni banks for failing to relocate their offices from Houthi-held Sanaa to the southern city of Aden, the war-torn country’s temporary capital. The decision is expected to provoke retaliation from the Houthis.

In a circular distributed on July 7, the contents of which were confirmed by Arab News on Thursday, the bank canceled the licenses of Tadhamon Bank, Yemen Kuwait Bank, Shamil Bank of Yemen and Bahrain, Al-Amal Microfinance Bank, Al-Kuraimi Islamic Microfinance Bank, and International Bank of Yemen for failing to comply with its relocation order. However, it said branches of the banks can continue to operate in government-controlled territories.

In April, the Central Bank gave banks in Sanaa two months to move their headquarters to Aden or face penalties. This came shortly after the Houthis announced the minting of a new, 100-riyal currency for the first time since the war began in late 2014, angering the Yemeni government and its Central Bank.

The government accuses the Houthis of waging an economic war by prohibiting the use of government-printed banknotes, attacking oil terminals in government-controlled Hadramout and Shabwa, preventing local traders from importing goods through Aden, and prohibiting imports of gas for cooking from the central city of Marib.

Authorities responded to the latest development by ordering banks and other key businesses, including telecoms companies and national airline Yemenia, to move their headquarters to Aden.

In May, the Central Bank ordered local financial institutions to stop dealing with the six sanctioned banks, accusing them of refusing to relocate and dealing with the Houthis, an organization classified as “terrorist” by the Yemeni government, the US and other countries.

Unlike previous actions taken by the Central Bank, which were publicized by Yemen’s official media, the decision to revoke the banks’ licenses was emailed to the targeted institutions rather than published publicly online.

An official familiar with the government’s economic measures told Arab News on Thursday that the Central Bank did not publicize its decision because it wanted to enable efforts by “mediators” to persuade the Houthis to halt their economic activities such as the printing of a new currency.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Nasr, the director of Yemen’s Studies and Economic Media Center, told Arab News that the Central Bank decision was expected because the banks were bowing to Houthi pressure, and that revoking their licenses would “isolate” financial institutions in Houthi-controlled areas.

“This step is harsher and more punitive in response to banks that have yet to move their headquarters to Aden,” he said.

“Allowing these banks’ branches to function in government-controlled regions provides a partial lifeline to avoiding total closure, which might expose them to the disaster of collapse.”

The revocation of the licenses comes as the Yemeni riyal fell to another record low against the dollar in government-controlled territories. In June, the riyal had fallen to 1,770 versus the dollar, down from 215 in early 2015. On Thursday, currency traders in Aden reported a further drop to 1,895.

Nasr attributed the depreciation of the riyal to depletion of Yemen’s foreign currency reserves as a result of the suspension of oil exports following Houthi attacks, speculation by money traders, Houthi purchases of hard currencies from government-controlled areas to weaken the riyal, and corruption in government institutions.

“The issue is not just with the Central Bank but also with the government’s financial policies and foreign-exchange income after the termination of the most significant source of foreign currency: oil exports,” he added.


Lineker says Israel at fault for origins of Gaza conflict, days before tweet furor

Lineker says Israel at fault for origins of Gaza conflict, days before tweet furor
Updated 8 sec ago
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Lineker says Israel at fault for origins of Gaza conflict, days before tweet furor

Lineker says Israel at fault for origins of Gaza conflict, days before tweet furor

LONDON: English sports broadcaster Gary Lineker, at the center of a backlash over a social media post, said that Israel is to blame for the origins of the Gaza conflict, because it turned the territory into an “outdoor prison.”

Speaking on Friday in an interview at the Football Business Awards days before he was accused of antisemitism over a post on X, Lineker said that his issues are with the Israeli government rather than Jewish people.

The BBC’s outgoing “Match of the Day” presenter criticized the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza as “completely out of proportion” to the Oct. 7 attacks.

Lineker’s post days later featured a pro-Palestinian message containing a rat emoji.

He later deleted the post and apologized but it sparked a furor among Jewish groups and BBC staff members, who have called for him to be sacked.

Lineker, 64, is preparing to host the final episodes of “Match of the Day” before returning to front the BBC’s FA Cup and FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.

“Obviously, Oct. 7 was awful, but it’s very important to know your history and to study the massacres that happened prior to this, many of them against the Palestinian people,” he told The Telegraph in the Friday interview.

“Yes, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But it appears that Palestinians don’t — and that is where it’s wrong. Palestinians are caged in this outdoor prison in Gaza, and now it’s an outdoor prison that they’re bombing.”

Lineker also questioned whether Israel could still legitimately argue that it was acting in self-defense. “I understand that they needed to avenge, but I don’t think they’ve helped their own hostage situation at all,” he said.

“People say it’s a complex issue, but I don’t think it is. It’s inevitable that the Israeli occupation was going to cause massive problems, and I just feel for the Palestinians.”

He said that “most” Jews now recognized that Israel’s actions have become too extreme. “The real heroes are the Jews who have spoken out against it,” he added.

Lineker, who was paid £1.4 million ($1.8 million) by the BBC last year, said that he was unfazed by the prospect of his comments provoking a negative reaction.

“I don’t really care about the backlash. I care about doing the right thing, or what I think is the right thing,” he said. “Some people can disagree, that’s fine. But I have to look at myself in the mirror. I think if you’re silent on these issues, you’re almost complicit.”

However, a number of BBC staffers said that Lineker should not be allowed to share his views publicly given his high-profile role at the BBC. They warned that it risked damaging trust in the corporation.

“The vast majority of BBC staff keep their views to themselves precisely because they work for the BBC,” said one.

“Why one individual is beyond that I simply don’t understand. The bosses need to take control. The value of all our collective work is at stake.”

Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie said that “the BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.

“We absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”


Israeli military intercepts missile launched from Yemen, army says

Israeli military intercepts missile launched from Yemen, army says
Updated 34 min 52 sec ago
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Israeli military intercepts missile launched from Yemen, army says

Israeli military intercepts missile launched from Yemen, army says
  • Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel
  • Israel has carried out numerous retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets

CAIRO: The Israeli military’s aerial defense system intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Thursday following alarms sounding in several areas of Israel, the army said in a statement.

The Iran-backed Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel as well as attacking numerous vessels in global shipping lanes, in a campaign that they say is aimed at showing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.


Israel has been fighting a war in Gaza since a deadly raid by the Palestinian militant group Hamas into southern Israel in October 2023.

Israel has carried out numerous retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

The launch, the second in two days, coincides with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf. Trump announced earlier in May that he reached a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthis that would halt attacks on US vessels.


Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
Updated 15 May 2025
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Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
  • The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa’s oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond
  • This year’s activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship

DJERBA, Tunisia: Only about 30 people turned up Thursday at this year’s Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia’s island of Djerba amid safety concerns following a deadly 2023 attack and as the war in Gaza rages on.

The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa’s oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well.

But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage.

“It has been difficult for people to come, given what’s happening in the world,” Rene Trabelsi, the event organizer, told AFP.

“The pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history,” he said.

This year’s activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship.

“In 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty,” said Khoudhir Hanya, the synagogue’s manager.

“Usually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive — sometimes up to 1,000 people.”
Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details.

The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live — mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France.

Organizers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years.

Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks.

A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer.


US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights

US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights
Updated 15 May 2025
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US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights

US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights
  • Rubio underscored the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all Syrians

ANTALYA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Turkiye on Thursday, the State Department said in a statement.

“(Rubio) welcomed the Syrian government’s calls for peace with Israel, efforts to end Iran’s influence in Syria, commitment to ascertaining the fate of US citizens missing or killed in Syria, and elimination of all chemical weapons,” the department said.

“The Secretary underscored the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion,” the department said.


UN rules out role in US-backed foundation’s Gaza aid operation

UN rules out role in US-backed foundation’s Gaza aid operation
Updated 15 May 2025
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UN rules out role in US-backed foundation’s Gaza aid operation

UN rules out role in US-backed foundation’s Gaza aid operation
  • UN participates in aid operations if they are in accordance with its basic principles, spokesperson says

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Thursday ruled out involvement with a new US-backed foundation for aid to Gaza, as Israel’s months-long blockade brings severe shortages to the war-battered territory.
“I made it clear that we participate in aid operations if they are in accordance with our basic principles,” said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.
“As we’ve stated repeatedly, this particular distribution plan does not accord with our basic principles, including those of impartiality, neutrality, independence, and we will not be participating in this,” he added.
The US State Department said last week the non-governmental foundation would soon announce its plans, effectively sidelining the UN.
Israel has imposed a blockade for over two months on Gaza, leading UN agencies and other humanitarian groups to warn of shrinking fuel and medicine supplies to the territory of 2.4 million Palestinians.
Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has stopped the vast majority of the country’s international assistance.
Israel has already leveled most of Gaza’s buildings following militants’ unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on the country.
But it has rejected claims that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding and has vowed to increase pressure on Hamas.
Israel has long criticized involvement of the UN, seeing it as biased, and has banned work of the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees.
Little is known about the new organization, although a listing in Switzerland showed the establishment in February of the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.”
Swiss newspaper Le Temps earlier reported that the foundation was looking to hire “mercenaries” to work in the distribution of aid, sparking alarm in Amnesty International’s Swiss chapter.
Haq said: “The UN have a plan, an excellent plan, that is ready to be implemented as soon as we’re allowed to do our work.”
“I’ve talked about how we have trucks ready to go. We have more than 171,000 metric tons of food, on top of other life-saving supplies, and they’re ready to go the minute that Israel opens the gates,” he added.
But Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to “recalculate” the body’s approach to what would be a “major” operation.
He added that Israel would not be contributing to its costs, but would allow it to go ahead.
“We will not fund those efforts. We will facilitate them,” he said.
“We will enable them. Some of them will have to cross through territory that we operate, but we will definitely not fund them.”