Yemen's Oil Minister: Security plan in place to counter Houthi threats for export resumption

Yemen's Minister of Oil and Minerals, Dr. Mohammed Bamqaa, has declared the government's readiness to restart oil operations, emphasizing the critical need to resume exports after a disruptive suspension. The halt in oil exports had significant repercussions, including delayed salary payments, disrupted government functions, and a decline in essential public services.

Bamqaa revealed that an emergency meeting was convened with security and military authorities, alongside the company holding the export contract. This meeting focused on implementing a security plan designed to counter potential threats, specifically those posed by the Houthis in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. Discussions have been ongoing since President Al-Alimi announced the resumption of oil exports, leading to a Supreme Committee meeting that approved a time-bound implementation mechanism.

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We are currently reactivating the system and are ready to begin exports as soon as we receive official notification from the contracted company in the coming days.

The Ministry of Oil and Minerals is technically prepared to restore operational status, a process that involves reactivating systems and emptying pipelines after extended shutdowns. "We are currently reactivating the system and are ready to begin exports as soon as we receive official notification from the contracted company in the coming days," Bamqaa stated.

Projected revenue estimates have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance to support public services and ensure regular salary payments. Bamqaa highlighted Saudi Arabia's crucial support through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, which provided financial aid for salary payments and fuel supplies for power plants. "For these reasons, the decision to resume exports is both important and a national necessity to preserve state institutions," he added.

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For these reasons, the decision to resume exports is both important and a national necessity to preserve state institutions.