Al-Eryani: Iran’s militarization of civilian airports and ports threatens Yemen’s security, regional stability, and international navigation.

Iran’s Military Exploitation of Civilian Infrastructure Threatens Yemen and Regional Security

Minister of Information Highlights Concerns

Minister of Information Muammar Al-Eryani has raised serious concerns regarding the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) systematic exploitation of civilian infrastructure for military purposes. He emphasized that this approach forms a core part of Iran’s operational doctrine, enabling its regional proxies. Al-Eryani pointed out that this behavior manifests in various locations, from Beirut Airport to Syrian ports, and extends to Sana’a Airport and Hodeidah ports. He described this exploitation as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, endangering civilians and critical infrastructure.

Iran’s Strategy Through Houthi Militias

Al-Eryani explained that Iran, through its Houthi militia, aims to utilize airports, ports, and other civilian facilities under militia control as channels for smuggling weapons, transporting experts, and introducing advanced military technologies. This strategy transforms these facilities from lifelines for development into tools for perpetuating conflict and expanding regional threats. Consequently, this situation directly impacts Yemen’s security and stability while threatening international navigation, energy security, and global trade stability.

Civilian Facilities Under Threat

The minister asserted that Yemeni airports and ports are sovereign facilities owned by the Yemeni people and funded by public resources. These infrastructures exist to serve citizens, facilitate travel, trade, and humanitarian aid, not to act as platforms for the IRGC’s projects or to fuel regional conflicts. He stressed that any attempt to misuse these facilities outside their legitimate civilian functions constitutes an infringement on Yemen’s sovereignty and the rights of its people. Such actions disregard civilian lives and violate international law and treaties.

Commitment to Civilian Operations

Al-Eryani reaffirmed the legitimate government’s commitment to ensuring that Yemeni airports and ports continue to serve the public. The government aims to facilitate passenger movement, trade flow, and humanitarian assistance, maintaining these facilities as civilian entities. He emphasized that the government will not allow these infrastructures to become platforms for arms smuggling, expert transportation, or military operations conducted by the Houthi militia or the IRGC. Protecting the civilian nature of infrastructure is a national responsibility and a legal and ethical obligation.

Call for International Action

Al-Eryani urged the international community to adopt a firmer stance against the IRGC’s militarization of civilian infrastructure and its Houthi affiliates. He highlighted that this issue poses a threat not only to Yemen but also represents an increasing danger to regional security, civilian safety, and the freedom of international navigation. He stressed that safeguarding the civilian character of airports and ports is not solely a Yemeni responsibility but a legal and moral obligation for the international community. He warned that leniency towards the militarization of these facilities undermines the foundations of regional and international security, granting the IRGC and its proxies greater latitude to continue threatening global peace and security.

Conclusion

The situation in Yemen underscores the urgent need for a coordinated international response to prevent the militarization of civilian infrastructure. As the conflict continues, the implications for regional stability and global trade remain critical.

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