President Hadi orders Yemen security and Armed forces to be on high alert status

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

August 21, 2014

President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi chaired on Thursday an extraordinary and emergency meeting of Supreme Security Committee and National Defense Council in the framework of following up the latest developments on the ground.

The meeting touched upon attempts by armed Houthi group which aim to impede the political process based on the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism backed by the UNSC resolutions in this regard.

Hadi at the meeting called to put Yemen's armed and security forces on high alert status to face all possibilities.

"The state will not remain silent before this critical threat of Houthis which harms all Yemen and not only the capital Sana'a, because Sana'a is the capital of all Yemen and a great number of Yemenis from al-Mahra to Sa'ada are living here,'' the President said.

The President pointed out that everyone at the national, regional and international levels welcomed the peaceful solutions of Yemen among the country hit by the Arab Spring.

"The National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in Yemen was combining of all political, societal and cultural components among them the Houthi group themselves.. the discussions of nine months of the dialogue handled all obstacles of Sa'ada and Southern issues through the NDC outcomes,'' Hadi said.

The President indicated that the GCC-Brokered deal confirmed on the Yemen's security, stability and unity and averting Yemen from dragging into a civil war.

"Houthi group has no right to be the trustee of the Yemeni people under an obsolete pretext and everyone knows that,'' Hadi said.

The President pointed out that the economic reforms in the country- which were approved by all political and societal components in the Yemen, were necessary otherwise the state's economy was about to collapse.

Hadi urged the security committee and Defense Council to be on high alert status and ready to face any threat that will harm the security and stability of the capital Sana'a with all possible means.

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens:

August 20, 2014

The Embassy informs the public of a Houthi protest beginning today, August 18, and possibly continuing through Friday, August 22. The protesters will be joined by demonstrators traveling to Sana’a from Amran.  Protests will be centered at Change Square by Sana’a University, but could affect other parts of the city and Sana’a Province.  The protests may become violent and all U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the area at that time.

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest.  The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart.

U.S. citizens in Yemen remain vulnerable to kidnappings and terrorist attacks, especially when in transit to and from residences or workplaces. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and take prudent security measures in all areas, especially those areas frequented by Westerners. All U.S. citizens are reminded to vary their routes and times for all travel, maintain a high level of vigilance, keep a low profile, lock car windows and doors, carry a cell phone at all times, and report suspicious incidents to the Embassy.

Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities.

As a matter of general practice, U.S. citizens should avoid areas where large gatherings may occur.  Even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  U.S. citizens in Egypt are urged to monitor local news reports and to plan their activities accordingly.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Yemen enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs website where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information for Yemen can be found. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other countries, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review the Traveler's Checklist which includes valuable security information for those living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa is located at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is (967) (1) 755-2000 (press 0 for emergencies) or (967) 737-789-261. U.S. citizens can also reach the consular section via email at SanaaACS@state.gov

President Hadi meets government officials, parliamentarians, other politicians

President Hadi meets government officials, parliamentarians, other politicians

August 20, 2014

President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi along with Parliament Speaker Yehia al-Raee, PM deputy, Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Ahmed Obaid Bin Daghr, and President Hadi's aides met on Wednesday with members of Parliament, the Cabinet, Shura Council and a number of political and party leaders, civil society organizations, women's sector, social figures and military and security leaders.

During the meeting, Hadi delivered a speech where he said that Yemen is going through a critical, historic, and very important era, which requires to unify efforts all of Yemenis to face all the country's challenges at various levels.

"I am absolutely convinced and confident that we are able to bring the nation to safety and to build a modern Yemeni state,'' Hadi said.

Hadi said since the eruption of 2011's crisis, the political powers in the country adhered to the dialogue to handle the crisis in the country, which averted Yemen from dragging into a civil war. Adding that the GCC-brokered deal was a suitable solution agreed by all political components in the country in the light of the GCC initiative that led the country to the National Dialogue which represents with its outcomes a roadmap for a secure and stable future of Yemen.

"As you know the progress of the NDC had been facing a number of political and security obstacles which aim to hinder the path of political settlement process in the country through creating various crises, problems and conflicts across Yemen, however despite those challenges we brought the NDC to a successful conclusion on January 25,'' the President said in his speech.

The President added that today we have a historic and significant document drafted by all Yemenis and backed by brotherly and friendly countries, yet this document today is in a critical situation in the light of the latest security and political developments and through the latest escalation by who thinks that he can impose unknown and upcoming alternatives through resorting to violence and power.

"Since the beginning of my term in the office I adhered to solve the problem of the country through forming several presidential committees to tackle whether emergent matters or cumulative issues like Southern and Sa'ada issues,'' Hadi said.

Hadi stated in his speech that over our concern to solve the problems of Sa'ada issue we formed several presidential committees to address the issues of Damaj, Radhma, Araheb anf Jawf and lately the issue of Ameran. Moreover, the President said that the last Presidential committee visited Sa'ada on August 16, in addition to another committee, which is still working now and aims to discuss the executive package to implement the NDC outcomes concerning the Sa'ada issue.

"Hence, I invite them to review their attitude and to look at things with responsibility and realize the dire consequences of a departure from the national consensus,'' Hadi said.

Hadi was quoted as adding that the recently approved reforms were aimed at preventing a possible economic collapse as the country continued to import fuels for funds nearly double the country's revenues from crude exports, saying those reforms were preceded by a number of an austerity package aimed to control the growing cash shortage that Yemen has been experiencing since late last year.

The package includes freezing hiring for all state institutions; halting procurement of cars for government officials, restricting the international travel by government officials. Also Hadi said that the austerity package proposes improving tax collection methods and solving accumulated unpaid tax duties.

Hadi in his speech renewed his call to all political, societal powers and components in the country and regional and international powers to bear their responsibilities through supporting the political settlement in Yemen based on the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, urging to stay away from all kinds of media provocations, and renouncing violence, force and threat that aim to achieve any purposes outside the framework of what had been unanimously agreed by Yemenis.

Hadi at the meeting asked the army to raise its combat alert level, saying the state has the right to resort to all legitimate means to defend the gains of Yemeni people and NDC outcomes and the maintenance of security and social peace.

"We extend our hand to all and we open up the political dialogue due to our belief that the language of dialogue is the best choices.

The meeting formed a presidential committee to meet with Abdul Malil al-Houth in order to negotiate with him based on the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism taking into consideration the respect of Yemeni people's will and the implementation of the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC). The committee is composed of 10 members and headed by Ahmed Obaid Bin Daghr.