[05/08/2026 07:22]

RIYADH – SABA
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Afrah al-Zouba discussed Wednesday with the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg to discuss the latest political and humanitarian developments in Yemen.

Ongoing UN and international efforts related to the current situation amid the continued escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia and its threats to international maritime security were also discussed.

During the virtual meeting, Minister al-Zouba reviewed the consequences of the Houthis' continued escalation and their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

She stressed that these actions do not represent the interests of the Yemeni people but instead demonstrate the militia's alignment with Iran's expansionist agenda and its efforts to use Yemeni territory and waters as a platform to exert pressure, draw the country into regional escalation, threaten the security of maritime navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, and undermine prospects for peace and stability in Yemen and the wider region.

Al-Zouba noted that the Yemeni people have borne an enormous humanitarian and economic burden over the past twelve years as a result of the Houthi coup, the looting of state resources, attacks on oil export facilities, the disruption of public services, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. She added that the militia's ideology is based on discriminatory rhetoric that contradicts the principle of equal citizenship and aims to reduce citizens living under its control to hostages.

The minister also highlighted the Houthi militia's continued intransigence and refusal to engage seriously in addressing political, humanitarian, and economic issues. She cited the group's obstruction of proposed solutions to resume civilian flights through Sana'a International Airport using the national carrier, its failure to implement the prisoner and detainee exchange agreement, its exploitation of humanitarian issues for political and military blackmail, and its use of periods of calm to regroup, rearm, and strengthen its military capabilities.

Al-Zouba emphasized that any period of de-escalation should serve as a gateway to a political solution rather than a cover for entrenching the status quo and prolonging the crisis. She called on the international community to exert serious and effective pressure on the Houthi militia to fulfill its commitments and end practices that continue to worsen the suffering of the Yemeni people.

For his part, the UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg congratulated Minister al-Zouba on her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and wished her success in her new role.

He briefed her on the outcomes of his recent contacts and consultations and commended the Yemeni government's commitment to supporting United Nations efforts.

Grundberg reaffirmed the importance of shielding Yemen from further regional tensions and advancing just and inclusive political process capable of fulfilling the Yemeni people's aspirations for peace, security and stability.

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