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Failed Yemeni talks shatter hopes of Yemenis' financial recovery

Residents of Houthi-controlled Sanaa pinned their hopes on a recent meeting between Yemen’s warring sides to solve economic crises as the country’s Central Bank remains divided, but no solution was found and differences remain.

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Members of the Yemeni government delegation take a break after a new round of talks between Yemen's warring parties, in Amman, Jordan, May 16, 2019. — REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

SANAA, Yemen — Clashes erupted May 15 between forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah, despite what the United Nations said was a successful withdrawal by Houthis from the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa.

Yemen's internationally recognized government's Minister of Information Moammar al-Eryani took to Twitter May 12, describing the Houthis’ withdrawal as misleading and unacceptable.

Ibrahim al-Dhufri, a father of three from the Old City of Sanaa, has welcomed the withdrawal of Houthis from the three ports. He said, “It [the withdrawal] is a positive step. We expect [President] Abed Rabbo [Mansour Hadi] and his companions to take a similar step.”

Dhufri said the war and the economic situation have taken a toll on his life and that of public servants. He is one of tens of thousands of government employees in Houthi-controlled areas who have been paid half a salary every three months since 2016.

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