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PLC Member Major General Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahsani Meets with EU Delegation in Al-Mukalla

REPORTS - 17 day ago

Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) member, Major General Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahsani, received today at the Presidential Palace in Al-Mukalla, Hadramout, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Yemen, Gabriel Munuera Viñals, along with French Ambassador Catherine Corm Kammoun and Dutch Ambassador Janet Alberda.

During the meeting, Al-Bahsani briefed the European envoys on the latest developments in Yemen, stressing the urgent need for effective European interventions to support the economy and mitigate the worsening humanitarian crisis. He pointed out that the crisis has been exacerbated by Houthi terrorist attacks on oil facilities and commercial shipping vessels.

The discussions also covered the recent U.S. decision to re-designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). In this context, Al-Bahsani called on the EU to adopt similar measures as a means of pressuring the Houthis by cutting off their funding and arms supply networks. He emphasized that such actions would help curb the group’s hostile activities, which pose a threat to regional and international security, particularly along key maritime trade routes.

Furthermore, Al-Bahsani highlighted the PLC’s efforts despite the challenging conditions to restore stability in liberated areas, improve economic and public services, and implement comprehensive reforms. He noted that the state has lost approximately 70% of its state revenue following the Houthi terrorist attacks on oil infrastructure in Hadramout, creating a significant financial shortfall.

He also underscored the PLC’s commitment to institutional reforms, strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms, and combating corruption hotspots to achieve economic and administrative stability, ultimately improving the lives of citizens.

Al-Bahsani reaffirmed the PLC’s support for local authorities in liberated governorates, encouraging cooperation and knowledge-sharing among provinces to benefit from successful governance and development experiences. He praised the local authorities’ initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery, security, and overall stability.

The Fight Against Terrorism in Hadramout

During the meeting, Al-Bahsani provided an overview of Hadramout’s historical security challenges, particularly the Al-Qaeda occupation of coastal cities in 2015. He recalled how the terrorist group seized state resources, including the central bank, which held vast amounts of foreign currency reserves.

He described how Al-Qaeda’s rule led to severe oppression, particularly targeting women and youth, while also disrupting higher education, judicial institutions, airports, and trade oversight at seaports, facilitating unchecked smuggling operations.

In response, Hadrami military and political leaders, along with the Arab Coalition, devised a strategy to liberate the coastal region. This plan involved establishing training camps to form a professional military force, which later launched the April 24, 2016, liberation operation with direct support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Al-Bahsani commended the sacrifices of fallen heroes who contributed to Hadramout’s security and stability. He highlighted subsequent military operations, including Operation Al-Masini Valley, Operation Black Mountains, and Operation Iron Grip, which completely eradicated Al-Qaeda from the coastal region.

Since then, Hadramout has embarked on a path of comprehensive development, implementing projects across various key sectors to achieve sustainable progress.

In response, the EU delegation, along with the French and Dutch ambassadors, reaffirmed their support for the PLC and the government, as well as ongoing UN-led efforts to promote peace and security.

They emphasized the EU’s commitment to funding projects across multiple sectors in liberated areas, including Hadramout, aimed at alleviating economic hardships and improving living conditions for  citizens.