Spokesman Report
Islamabad:Yemen is not an “Iranian bargaining chip” or an arena for settling regional scores, Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah Al Zouba said, stressing that the country’s partnership with Saudi Arabia remains “firm”.
In an interview with the official Saba news agency on Saturday, Al Zouba said restoring state institutions was essential to Yemen’s security, regional stability and the safety of maritime routes as government forces and Iran-backed Houthis continued fighting on several fronts.
She said the government was pursuing an “integrated deterrence” approach that combines military measures with diplomacy, protection of civilians, strengthening state institutions and expanding humanitarian assistance.
On maritime security, Al Zouba said threats in the Red Sea and Bab El Mandeb went beyond disrupting shipping and amounted to an attempt by an armed group to impose its conditions.
She said sustainable stability required strengthening the Yemeni state’s control over its coasts, ports and islands, while expanding cooperation with regional and international partners on maritime intelligence, port security, coast guard capabilities and combating smuggling.
Al Zouba praised Saudi Arabia for supporting Yemen’s legitimate leadership and said Riyadh’s role was an important pillar of Yemen’s security and regional stability.
“The partnership with the Kingdom is firm,” she said, adding that a safe and stable Yemen would also strengthen Saudi security.
She also described Egypt as a key Arab partner and welcomed Russia’s support at the UN Security Council for freedom of navigation and opposition to attacks on commercial vessels.
On Iran, Al Zouba rejected Tehran’s support for the Houthis, saying it strengthened their military capabilities and allowed Yemen’s territory to be used to threaten neighbouring countries and maritime routes.
“Yemen is not compensation for anyone’s loss in another arena, nor an arena for settling scores, nor a bargaining chip for any regional power,” she said.
