Abu Dhabi (South24 Center)

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Yemeni Prime Minister Salem bin Braik, who is visiting Abu Dhabi, yesterday (October 3) held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Beach Palace to discuss bilateral relations, economic reform and regional security.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, during the talks, Bin Braik discussed “ways to support Yemen in fulfilling its responsibilities and enhancing economic cooperation”. 

According to Saba News, Prime Minister bin Braik expressed Yemen's gratitude for UAE’s support, through the Emirati projects in infrastructure, electricity, energy, ports, and airports.

He said, "Yemen will never forget UAE's presence alongside Saudi Arabia in our darkest moments, defending our security and supporting national choices in an existential battle affecting regional security and international navigation."

According to Emirates national news agency WAM, the UAE President conveyed his greetings to the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and expressed his sincere wishes for Yemen’s stability and prosperity.

“He reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast commitment to supporting all efforts that meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people for development, security and stability,” it quoted him as saying.

In Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister bin Braik also met separately with members of the Presidential Leadership Council. He held talks with Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and with Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami. 

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Al-Zubaidi meets Prime Minister Salem bin Brik in Abu Dhabi#south24 pic.twitter.com/H5nMpXAsQg

— South24 | English (@South24E) October 4, 2025

Earlier, Prime Minister bin Braik arrived in the Emirati capital, on Friday, October 3, in his first foreign visit since his appointment in May. 

The visit comes as his government faces an escalating crisis due to the continued non-payment of salaries to employees in both the military and civilian sectors for the fourth consecutive month.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the visit was made at the invitation of the leadership of the United Arab Emirates and aims to strengthen cooperation in the fields of development and investment, as well as to discuss economic support for the Yemeni government.

The Yemeni government has not yet announced any tangible outcomes from the visit, but it may represent an effort to secure new financial assistance to help address the salary crisis, particularly in light of declining oil export revenues and the suspension of port income since October 2022.

The visit comes amid growing discontent among state employees in Aden and other governorates under the control of the Yemeni government, due to delayed salary payments and the absence of any clarification from the Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank regarding the reasons for the delay.

In September, Saudi Arabia announced a new economic and development support package for the Yemeni government worth $368 million, delivered through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction.

The UAE plays a prominent role in supporting service and development sectors in southern Yemen, including the clean energy sector in Aden and Shabwa, and maintains close ties with the Southern Transitional Council (STC).