Stable Yemen Key to Regional Security, Says FM Afrah Al-Zouba
Yemen FM Afrah Al-Zouba warns that regional stability depends on a stable Yemen and labels the Taiz siege a war crime at the Manama Dialogue.
Yemen's Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba has issued a stark warning to the international community, asserting that stable Yemen regional security is an impossibility unless the Yemeni state restores its authority across the entire country. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Al-Zouba emphasized that the restoration of state institutions is not just a national priority but a shared global responsibility.
The Blueprint for Stability
During a session titled "The Foundations of Regional Security," the Foreign Minister argued that sustainable peace in the region is inextricably linked to the internal stability of Yemen. She maintained that for Yemen to be stable, the legitimate state authority must hold absolute control over all its territories.
According to Al-Zouba, this means that the power to possess arms and the critical decisions regarding war and peace must reside solely within the country's legitimate institutions. She stressed that without this centralized authority, the region will remain vulnerable.
Taiz Siege Labeled a 'War Crime'
In one of the most poignant moments of her address, Al-Zouba turned her attention to the humanitarian crisis in Taiz. She explicitly described the ongoing siege of the city as a "war crime," calling for immediate and decisive international intervention.
The Foreign Minister urged the global community to take firm action to lift the siege and ensure that roads are reopened permanently and safely to allow for the movement of people and essential supplies.
Maritime Threats and the Bab al-Mandab Strait
Addressing the volatility of international trade routes, Al-Zouba linked the security of the Bab al-Mandab Strait directly to the conflict within Yemen. She argued that protecting international navigation requires attacking the threat at its source.
To achieve this, she called for three critical actions:
- Strict enforcement of the arms embargo.
- An end to the Iranian regime's support for the Houthi militia, whom she described as terrorists.
- Increased backing for Yemen's national institutions.
Al-Zouba pointed out that by restoring their state, Yemenis are effectively defending their neighbors and safeguarding the world's vital trade routes.
Escalating Tensions on the Ground
The Foreign Minister's diplomatic plea comes amidst a backdrop of intensifying conflict. Reports indicate that the war in Yemen has escalated since September, following the Houthi takeover of strategic territories along the Red Sea coast. This move prompted a counteroffensive by forces aligned with the internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia.
Adding to the tension, reports from Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV claim that the Saudi-led coalition conducted two raids on an oil facility in the Bajil district of the western Hodeidah governorate. These raids reportedly left at least three civilians wounded, though the Saudi-led coalition has not issued an immediate comment on the matter.
Concluding her participation in the dialogue, Al-Zouba expressed her gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for its hospitality and organization, as well as to the participating nations for their fruitful discussions on the future of regional security.