Saudi, Yemeni foreign ministers discuss partnership and regional security

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Afrah Al-Zouba, to discuss bilateral relations, the strategic partnership between the two countries, and ways to strengthen them, as well as the latest developments in Yemen and the region and issues of mutual concern.

According to Yemen’s Saba News Agency, the meeting, held at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on building upon the strong bonds of brotherhood, neighborliness, and shared interests between the two nations, and expanding cooperation to serve their interests and contribute to regional stability and development.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, government, and people, and for all efforts aimed at ensuring Yemen’s security, stability, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Minister Al-Zouba expressed Yemen’s appreciation—at the leadership, government, and popular levels—for Saudi Arabia’s steadfast positions and pivotal role in supporting the Yemeni state and people politically, economically, humanitarianly, and in development, which has helped strengthen state institutions, alleviate humanitarian suffering, and support stability and economic recovery.

The Yemeni minister also praised Saudi Arabia’s facilitation and care for Yemeni expatriates, who represent a vital source for the national economy and a mainstay for millions of families, especially amid the harsh living and economic pressures imposed by the Houthi militia across Yemen.

The two sides also discussed strengthening institutional cooperation between their ministries, benefiting from Saudi diplomatic experience in training and developing Yemeni diplomatic staff, and building their capacities to improve performance and enhance cooperation and coordination.

The meeting addressed the recent escalation by the Houthi militia and its repercussions on Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the region, as well as the threat it poses to the security of the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab, maritime safety, and international trade, and ways to address these challenges.

Minister Al-Zouba reiterated Yemen’s rejection and condemnation of the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory and its civilian and economic facilities, stressing that such attacks threaten not only Saudi Arabia’s security and stability but also the security of the region and the interests of countries committed to its stability and prosperity.

She affirmed that Yemen will not allow its territory or maritime passages to be used as a platform to threaten Saudi Arabia, neighboring countries, or international navigation, noting that Yemen’s strategic location and vital sea lanes are a cornerstone of regional security and a key link in global trade routes, not a tool for threats or blackmail outside the framework of national interests and decisions.

The Yemeni minister also stressed that the expansion of Houthi attacks on Yemeni state institutions, civilian and economic sites, and ports—especially the port of Mocha—constitutes a direct assault on the interests and resources of the Yemeni people and reveals an intent to widen the conflict and target one of the most vital gateways near Bab Al-Mandab. She emphasized that the security of Yemeni cities and ports and the safety of Red Sea navigation are interconnected, and that protecting maritime routes begins with a strong state capable of safeguarding its coasts, ports, and institutions.

Dr. Al-Zouba praised Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, its leadership role, and its wise vision in building partnerships and alliances and leading initiatives to enhance regional stability and confront shared threats. She renewed Yemen’s support for the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and the multinational maritime defense coalition, describing them as important steps to strengthen collective security and deterrence. She stressed that the effectiveness of these efforts is bolstered by supporting the Yemeni state, enhancing its maritime capabilities, and its role as an active partner in regional security and maritime safety.

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