Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The head of the Yemeni government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sha’ea Al-Zandani, stated that the Houthi group represents a threat to peace and stability in Yemen and the region, affirming that the government remains committed to the option of peace despite the stalling of political efforts.
This came in an interview with the Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of his participation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum held in Turkey, where he emphasized that Yemeni-Turkish relations are “historic” and are witnessing cooperation in multiple fields, with a shared keenness to activate bilateral agreements and strengthen partnership.
Al-Zandani pointed out that Yemen’s participation in the forum is an important indication of the two countries’ interest in developing relations, describing the event as a “valuable opportunity” to communicate with international leaders and officials and exchange views on current issues.
Regarding developments in the regional situation, Al-Zandani accused the Houthi group of engaging in regional conflicts and acting as a “harmonious arm of the Iranian regime,” noting that their escalation in the Red Sea reflects a direct threat to the security of international navigation and trade.
He affirmed that the Houthis do not take the interests of the Yemeni people into consideration, criticizing what he described as their exploitation of regional issues to achieve political goals, in reference to their declared positions on the war in Gaza. He also warned of the danger of armed groups linked to external forces exploiting Yemen’s strategic location, given its wide impact on regional and international security.
On the humanitarian front, Al-Zandani explained that Yemen is undergoing a severe crisis as a result of the war that has continued for more than a decade, noting that the government is working with its regional and international partners to alleviate the suffering of citizens, as more than 22 million Yemenis need humanitarian assistance according to UN estimates.
Regarding peace efforts, he affirmed that there are no real initiatives given the Houthis’ rejection of all proposals, while the UN envoy’s efforts to find political solutions continue. He stressed that the government considers peace a fundamental option, but it may be forced into other options to restore state institutions if the stalemate continues.
In concluding his remarks, Al-Zandani expressed his hope for an end to the war that has lasted more than ten years, affirming the government’s aspiration to restore stability and extend its control over all Yemeni territory, at a time when Yemen has been witnessing relative calm since 2022 after a long conflict that created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
