The Foreign Minister discusses Yemen’s situation and Houthi threats to international navigation with the UN envoy.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Discusses Current Political and Humanitarian Situation with UN Envoy

Meeting Overview

Today, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, met with Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, to discuss the latest developments in Yemen’s political and humanitarian landscape. The meeting, conducted via video conference, focused on the ongoing threats posed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia and its impact on international maritime security.

Escalating Houthi Threats

During the meeting, Minister Al-Zouba highlighted the continuous escalation of Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. She emphasized that these actions do not serve the interests of the Yemeni people. Instead, they reveal the Houthis’ alignment with Iran’s expansionist agenda, using Yemeni land and waters as leverage to escalate regional tensions. This situation threatens maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden, undermining prospects for peace and stability in Yemen and the broader region.

Humanitarian and Economic Costs

Al-Zouba pointed out that the Yemeni people have endured significant humanitarian and economic costs over the past twelve years due to the Houthi coup and its plundering of state resources. The militia’s attacks on oil export facilities, disruption of services, and obstruction of aid deliveries have exacerbated the crisis. She noted that the Houthi agenda promotes a discriminatory narrative that contradicts the principle of equal citizenship, effectively turning citizens in their controlled areas into hostages.

Houthi Intransigence

The minister criticized the Houthi militia for its refusal to engage seriously in addressing political, humanitarian, and economic issues. This includes hindering proposed solutions for resuming civilian flights through Sanaa Airport and delaying the implementation of agreements for the release of prisoners. Al-Zouba accused the Houthis of exploiting humanitarian issues for political and military leverage, using ceasefire periods to reposition and enhance their military capabilities.

Call for International Action

Al-Zouba asserted that any ceasefire should serve as a pathway to a political solution, rather than a cover for entrenching the status quo and prolonging the crisis. She urged the international community to exert serious and effective pressure on the Houthi militia to fulfill its commitments and cease actions that worsen the suffering of the Yemeni people.

UN Envoy’s Support

In response, Hans Grundberg congratulated Al-Zouba on her appointment as Foreign Minister and expressed his best wishes for her new role. He updated her on the outcomes of his recent communications and consultations, praising the Yemeni government’s commitment to supporting UN efforts.

Grundberg emphasized the importance of preventing further regional tensions in Yemen and promoting a fair and inclusive political process that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security and stability.

This meeting underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Yemen and restore peace in the region.

To follow the news in Arabic