Yemeni foreign minister warns Houthi advances threaten global shipping

Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba said her country is not an Iranian bargaining chip.

In remarks to Sputnik, she stressed that Yemen’s future will be determined by Yemenis themselves through their state and national path, emphasizing that restoring state authority is essential for regional security and safeguarding international navigation.

She added that Houthi militia advances toward coastal areas along the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab pose a real danger to shipping, limiting the ability of countries, shipping companies, and global commercial sectors to anticipate developments in this vital corridor.

The minister highlighted the escalation by the Houthi militia in the western coast and Bab Al-Mandab, its humanitarian consequences, and its impact on national and regional security, international trade routes, and relations with Saudi Arabia, the Russian Federation, and other allies and partners. She stressed the importance of coordinating efforts to confront shared threats and strengthen security and stability in Yemen and the region.

She continued that the government is acting responsibly in response to developments on the western coast, with military leadership working to address the consequences, reorganize capabilities, and unify efforts to regain the initiative. She acknowledged the challenges and the suffering of citizens, expressing deep appreciation for the sacrifices of the armed forces. She said their responsibility is to address shortcomings, reinforce state institutions, protect civilians, and support those affected. These developments, she added, do not alter the government’s goal of restoring the state, nor do they give the militia the right to impose Yemen’s future by force.