Yemen’s foreign minister says country is not Iran’s bargaining chip — Anadolu Agency
Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afra al-Zouba said that her country is not a bargaining chip for Iran and should not be an arena for settling regional scores. She also described Yemen’s partnership with Saudi Arabia as strong, Anadolu Agency reports, citing the official’s interview with the state agency Saba.
According to al-Zouba, restoring state institutions is the foundation of Yemen’s security, regional stability, and the security of maritime routes. She noted that the political leadership adheres to a comprehensive deterrence approach that is not limited to the military dimension and includes protecting civilians, strengthening state institutions, diplomatic work, and humanitarian response.
Shipping security
The foreign minister said that the threat to shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in the government’s assessment, is not limited to obstructing vessel traffic. She called it an attempt to impose the conditions of an armed group.
Al-Zouba stressed that military control over a certain territory does not grant the right to control navigation, and that Yemen’s sovereignty over its territories and islands cannot be changed by force. For long-term stability, she proposed strengthening state structures along the coast, in ports, and on islands, as well as developing cooperation with coastal countries on information exchange in maritime security, port protection, training and equipping the coast guard, and combating smuggling and organized crime.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Fighting on several fronts
The minister thanked Saudi Arabia for supporting the Yemeni people and the country’s legitimate leadership. She also called Egypt an important Arab partner and reported coordination with Cairo on Yemen, Red Sea security, and bilateral relations.
Al-Zouba condemned Iran’s support for the Houthis, which, according to the Yemeni government, enhances their military capabilities and enables them to use Yemen’s geographical location to threaten neighboring countries and maritime routes. She also welcomed Russia’s position in the UN Security Council in support of freedom of navigation and against attacks on commercial vessels.
Against the backdrop of these statements, fighting between government forces and the Houthis continues in Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, and Lahij. The Yemeni army reported that 13 of its servicemen were killed during the previous two days of fighting in Taiz and Lahij. A government source also reported the death of a high-ranking Houthi commander and six of his escorts on the Kahbub front near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
