Houthi actions are reducing peace prospects in Yemen

In 2015, the Iran-backed Houthi militias kidnapped the Secretary-General of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference (NDC) not knowing he would soon rally Western powers and work to change their view of the Yemeni crisis.

This effort by the then NDC chief, now Yemeni prime minister, was part of a broader manifesto that includes transparency for Yemen’s domestic issues.

Power cuts have become a regular part of life rather than just a problem. Yemenis have to endure extreme heat or spoiled food due to lack of electricity, so it’s natural for them to complain.

According to the prime minister, fixing Yemen’s electricity sector will take time and significant investments, along with genuine partnerships with the private sector.

The Yemeni government spends 30% of its resources on energy, with a huge chunk, 75%, going solely to fuel. Under bin Mubarak’s leadership, the government is aiming to lower fuel prices directly.

Experts on the Yemeni crisis believe Houthi operations in the Red Sea have hurt peace prospects, despite the militias' claims that these actions are unrelated to peace efforts.

Majed Al-Madhaji, head of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, highlighted several challenges for bin Mubarak’s government: political responses to Red Sea developments, potential Houthi military escalation, and the ongoing economic war.