[25/07/2026 12:02]

WASHINGTON-SABA

Yemen's Ambassador to the United States, Jamila Ali Raja, said the Houthis' recent attacks are part of a broader Iranian strategy to expand regional influence rather than isolated acts of piracy, stressing that the militia serves Tehran's agenda instead of Yemen's national interests.

Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington, Raja said the Houthis have consistently undermined peace efforts, weakened Yemen's economy by halting oil exports, and threatened international shipping while pursuing Iran's regional objectives.

She noted that the militia continues to detain more than 70 UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and foreign mission employees, undermining aid operations as millions of Yemenis depend on international assistance. She added that attacks on oil export facilities have caused an estimated $6 billion in government revenue losses since 2022, affecting salaries and essential public services.

Raja said the Yemeni government remains committed to reforms, restoring state institutions, and pursuing peace while safeguarding Yemen's sovereignty. She stressed that the interests and aspirations of the Yemeni people must take precedence and called for preventing Yemen from becoming a platform for regional agendas.

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