The Southern Money Changers Syndicate condemned the closure of dozens of unlicensed money exchange companies and shops in the capital, Aden. 

The newly established union said in a statement that the Central Bank’s decision to close exchange facilities randomly and without prior notice, under the direction of the Public Prosecution, is merely a “show of heroism.” 

She added that the exchange facilities that were closed with the participation of what she called “corrupt people from the Central Bank” were originally licensed and operated in accordance with the law, and that the aim of this was to discredit these facilities in front of the media.

She said that the Central Bank should have known the nest of rogues, corrupt people, and large currency speculators who are causing the collapse of the value of the riyal, and not sent security campaigns against small money changers, according to the statement.

She continued: The bank should have sent security campaigns against the banks that operate from the city of Aden without licenses and obtained their licenses from Sanaa, since they are the ones who control the monetary mass in the areas of influence of the internationally recognized government.

On Thursday, the Public Prosecution closed 26 money exchange shops in 5 of the city’s southern districts, under directives from the Central Bank, due to what was said to be a violation and operating in violation of the regulations governing money exchange work.