Yemen's Deputy Transport Minister: Economic Facilities Will Not Be Held Hostage by Houthi Extortion

Yemen's Deputy Minister of Transport, Nasser Ahmed Sharif, has strongly condemned the Houthi militia's repeated targeting of ports, civilian facilities, and economic assets. He described these actions as a dangerous escalation and a systematic behavior aimed at harming Yemeni civilians and their interests, while also threatening economic security and maritime navigation in Yemen and the wider region.

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What the Houthi militia is doing by repeatedly targeting ports, civilian facilities, and economic assets represents a dangerous escalation and systematic behavior that targets the lives of civilians and the interests of the Yemeni people, and at the same time threatens economic security and navigation and trade in Yemen and the region.

Sharif asserted that restoring oil exports and economic activity is a crucial step toward rebuilding state resources and stimulating the economy. This would enable state institutions to meet their obligations to citizens. He warned that any attempt to disrupt this progress directly targets the national economy and the interests of the Yemeni people. The minister stated that threats are being managed through an integrated system of political, security, and technical measures, in coordination with state institutions, military and security bodies, and regional and international partners.

He highlighted the support provided by Saudi Arabia through its program for the development and reconstruction of Yemen, particularly in the transport sector and infrastructure. This includes projects to rehabilitate and develop Aden International Airport, focusing on critical infrastructure like runways, navigation, and communication systems to enhance operational safety and efficiency.

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We are aware that restoring oil exports and economic activity represents an important step towards restoring state resources and stimulating the economy, and enabling state institutions to meet their obligations to citizens.

"The ports and economic facilities will not be held hostage by Houthi extortion, and we will not back down from efforts to restore state resources and protect its national interests," Sharif declared. He added that the ministry is working to enhance the readiness of its ports and facilities, improve coordination among relevant authorities, and upgrade safety and security procedures to ensure the continuity of navigation and trade within available capabilities. He stressed that the international community must also take more decisive stances to protect civilian facilities and international shipping lanes.

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The ports and economic facilities will not be held hostage by Houthi extortion, and we will not back down from efforts to restore state resources and protect its national interests.