Yemen envoy warns Red Sea fire signals dangerous escalation, blames Iran-backed Houthis

Yemen's Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Ali bin Safaa, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating tensions in the Red Sea. He described the recent fire that engulfed a Saudi commercial vessel as a dangerous escalation that threatens international maritime security.

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the fire that engulfed a commercial vessel belonging to a Saudi company in the Red Sea on Thursday morning is a dangerous escalation threatening international maritime security.

Bin Safaa asserted that the attacks attributed to the Houthi militia are not isolated incidents but part of a broader Iranian agenda aimed at destabilizing the region and disrupting global trade. He emphasized that targeting commercial vessels constitutes a clear violation of international laws and norms, jeopardizing the security of vital maritime routes.

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the attacks carried out by the Houthi militia are no longer isolated incidents, as they have become part of an Iranian agenda targeting regional security and global trade.

The ambassador accused the Houthis of using political and religious slogans to mask their implementation of an Iranian agenda, exploiting military reactions for propaganda while covering up their domestic crimes. He pointed to potential coordination with armed groups on the African coast, threatening to turn the Red Sea into an area for political and economic blackmail.

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targeting commercial vessels is a blatant violation of international laws and norms, and threatens the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are among the most important maritime routes for the global economy.

Bin Safaa criticized the limited effectiveness of foreign interventions, stating they have managed the crisis without resolving it. He urged the legitimate Yemeni government and the Arab Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, to exploit the Houthis' current phase of internal weakness and public rejection to eliminate the militia and restore state institutions. He also stressed the importance of strengthening maritime security coordination among Gulf states, Yemen, Egypt, and Red Sea-bordering African nations to counter Houthi disinformation and expose their alleged ties to Iran.

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He stressed that relying on foreign interventions has proven to be of limited effectiveness, explaining that they have managed the crisis without resolving it, and have instead allowed the Houthi militia to continue promoting its narrative.