The Yemeni group Ansar Allah has denounced Britain’s support for the internationally recognized Yemeni government’s decision to raise the dollar customs price at ports in its controlled areas, calling the decision a “crime”.
Muhammad Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council, wrote on Twitter: “The UK supports the measures of its mercenaries in the occupied Yemeni regions to increase the customs price. This decision is another crime against a Yemeni citizen and a siege on top of the siege of the US-British-Saudi countries of aggression.”
He continued: “In turn, we support the economic measures Russia has taken in response to the actions of the UK and NATO”, referring to the sanctions imposed by Russia against the UK and NATO in response to similar measures.
Earlier, British Ambassador to Yemen Richard Oppenheim said in a tweet on Twitter that his country supports the Yemeni government’s economic measures taken to prevent the consequences of the Ansar Allah attack on oil ports in Yemen, which led to the cessation of crude oil exports.
On January 3, the Supreme Economic Council of the Government of Yemen decided to increase the price of the customs dollar for goods imported through ports into areas under its control by 50%, from 500 rials to 750 rials.
The Ansar Allah group met this decision with categorical rejection, warning of its consequences for the lives of citizens. However, the Yemeni government defended its decision, saying it “won’t affect or add burdens to consumers.” because it is primarily aimed at luxury goods, given that the main commodities are wheat and flour.” Rice, infant formula, oil and medicines are already exempt from customs duties.
Since September 2014, the Ansar Allah group has controlled most of the provinces of central and northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia on March 26, 2015 launched military operations in support of the Yemeni army in order to return these areas from under grouping control.
Source: Sputnik