The Minister of Information stated that ongoing Houthi attacks on oil tankers reveal their true nature as a terrorist organization.

Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, condemned the recent attack by the Iran-aligned Houthi militia on the oil tanker M/T Cordelia Moon. This marks the eleventh assault on chemical and oil tankers since November. Al-Eryani stated that these actions, justified by the Houthis as support for Gaza, underscore the group’s role as a terrorist organization acting as a tool for Iranian interests.

International Response Under Scrutiny

In a press briefing, Al-Eryani emphasized that the ongoing attacks reveal a significant failure in the international community’s response to the serious threats posed by the Houthi militia. He called for a reassessment of strategies to counter these terrorist activities, which endanger maritime security and disrupt the free flow of global trade.

Systematic Terrorism and Environmental Risks

Al-Eryani pointed out that the repeated targeting of oil and chemical tankers by the Houthis represents systematic terrorism. He expressed concern over the militia’s disregard for Yemen’s political, economic, and humanitarian crises. The potential consequences of an oil spill in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, or Gulf of Aden could be catastrophic. Such an event would threaten the country’s economic, agricultural, and fishing sectors while harming the coastal environment and biodiversity of the region.

Impact on Coastal Communities

The minister warned that any oil spill would jeopardize Yemen’s fishing resources and expose millions of coastal residents to toxic gases. It would also disrupt operations at Yemeni ports, pollute seawater desalination plants, and cut off their water supply. This disaster could devastate the livelihoods of approximately 1.7 million Yemenis who depend on fishing, while also destroying the ecological balance in the area.

Call for International Action

Al-Eryani urged the international community to classify the Houthi militia as a “global terrorist organization.” He called for immediate sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans on Houthi leaders. Additionally, he stressed the importance of enhancing legal coordination among countries to pursue Houthi members and their affiliates.

The situation remains critical as Yemen grapples with the implications of these attacks on its economy and environment, highlighting the urgent need for a unified international response.

To follow the news in Arabic