Yemen : Houthis Introduce New 200-Rial Banknote

2025-07-16 12:43:00

Sana'a ــ Houthi-controlled Central Bank in Sana’a announced the release of a new 200-rial banknote, marking a significant development in Yemen’s ongoing monetary divide.

According to the bank’s statement, the new note is intended to replace heavily worn 200 and 250-rial bills that have deteriorated due to overuse. Officials emphasized that the new currency was printed to meet international standards and would not affect exchange rates or increase inflation, as it merely substitutes damaged notes.

This move comes amid a broader currency war between Yemen’s rival central banks in Sana’a and Aden, each operating under different authorities. The internationally recognized government in Aden has previously condemned similar Houthi-issued currencies as counterfeit, warning that such unilateral actions deepen the country’s economic fragmentation.

As Yemen’s financial landscape grows increasingly polarized, the new 200-rial note symbolizes more than just a monetary update—it reflects the deepening divide in governance, legitimacy, and economic control.