The French President receives a message from the President of the Presidential Leadership Council.

French President Receives Message from Yemeni Leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron has received a written message from his Yemeni counterpart, President Rashad Mohammed Alimi, addressing the latest developments in Yemen amid Houthi terrorist attacks. The message also discusses ways to enhance bilateral relations and increase French support for Yemen.

Meeting Between Foreign Ministers

The Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Afrah Al-Zuba, delivered the message during her meeting today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. Both officials explored avenues to strengthen bilateral relations and French support for Yemen, as well as the implications of the Houthi escalation on humanitarian conditions and regional and international security.

Houthi Escalation and Humanitarian Impact

Dr. Al-Zuba highlighted the military escalation by Houthi militias since June, particularly the ongoing siege of Taiz and the worsening suffering of its residents. She emphasized the need for international positions to be based on a precise understanding of the situation and to counter misleading narratives propagated by the militias and their supporters, who seek to evade responsibility for the escalation and civilian suffering.

Threats to Maritime Security

The Yemeni Foreign Minister warned against the militias’ attempts to expand along the western coast, which threaten international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. She noted that the Houthis use maritime routes as leverage against the international community. Furthermore, she stated that the Houthi threat extends beyond Yemen, impacting regional security, global trade, and energy and food supplies, especially as the militias collaborate with terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa, including Al-Shabaab.

French Support for Yemen

The two sides also discussed potential French support to enhance Yemen’s national capabilities in maritime and aerial security, which would help protect vital civilian infrastructure and combat arms smuggling to the militias.

Commitment to Yemeni Sovereignty

In response, the French minister reaffirmed his country’s full support for the Yemeni government, emphasizing the necessity for Yemen to exercise sovereignty over its entire territory. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination and consultation mechanisms between the two countries and exchanging views on developments.

Condemnation of Houthi Attacks

The French minister strongly condemned the Houthi attacks, particularly the targeting of the Maashiq Palace in Aden, as a threat to the security and stability of Yemen and the region. He expressed his severe condemnation of the siege of Taiz, describing it as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. He reiterated France’s commitment to supporting the Yemeni people through humanitarian aid and cooperation programs with the government.

Attendees at the Meeting

The meeting included the Yemeni Ambassador to France, Dr. Riyadh Yasin, advisors Mohammed Abdullah Fakher and Khalil Al-Habishi, along with several officials from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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