Yemeni Defense Minister: Protecting International Navigation Requires International Support to Deter Iranian Threats

Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:

Yemeni Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Taher Al-Aqili, affirmed that protecting maritime navigation routes and ensuring international peace require the international community to assume its responsibilities by supporting the capabilities of the Yemeni armed forces to confront ongoing threats posed by the arms of the Iranian project, represented by the Houthi group.

This came during his meeting today with the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, and the embassy’s military attaché, Colonel Sean Newcomb, to discuss developments on the national and regional scene, challenges related to securing international navigation in the Red Sea, and efforts to unify military formations.

Minister Al-Aqili explained that enhancing the readiness of the military institution represents a fundamental pillar for protecting national sovereignty and ensuring regional security, noting that the Yemeni army is continuing to address various challenges in a way that achieves security and stability in the country.

For their part, the meeting reviewed prospects for military cooperation and coordination to confront risks targeting maritime routes, as well as efforts to unify military ranks under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, in a manner that serves the Yemeni people’s aspirations to restore state institutions and secure their maritime and land borders.