[22/09/2026 02:22]

ADEN-SABA

Interior Minister Major General Ibrahim Haidan discussed Tuesday with EU Ambassador to Yemen Patrick Simonnet and Dutch Ambassador to Yemen Jeannette Seppen ways to strengthen cooperation in the security sector.

Haidan praised EU support for the Yemeni government and the Interior Ministry, expressing hope for expanded assistance in training and developing security personnel and supporting the Yemeni Coast Guard to strengthen security along the coastline and counter Houthi threats to international shipping and maritime routes.

He reviewed the ministry’s efforts to maintain security and stability in government-held provinces amid the Houthi militia’s escalation, which he said is backed and directed by Iran, and its efforts to ease pressure on itself by shifting the conflict into Yemen through its proxies and cooperating with terrorist groups, including ISIS, al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab.

Haidan also highlighted the growing displacement caused by the Houthi militia’s military escalation in Taiz and Hudaydah, describing it as a security and humanitarian challenge. He called on the EU and the international community to provide further support to address the consequences of displacement and strengthen security agencies’ capacity to respond.

For his part, the EU ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s support for the Yemeni government and condemned Houthi escalation and attacks targeting civilians and facilities, stressing the importance of international efforts to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the security of maritime routes.

---