Yemen Foreign Ministry criticizes Saudi blockade and maritime risks

The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Sanaa has issued a statement responding to a recent UN Security Council briefing regarding the situation in Yemen. The Ministry expressed support for the positive points raised by the permanent representatives of Russia and China during the session.

In its statement, the Ministry accused Saudi Arabia of being responsible for the ongoing blockade and the closure of Sanaa International Airport. It specifically noted that a Saudi military strike on the airport on July 13 aimed to prevent a humanitarian flight, an action that ended the previous period of de-escalation. The Ministry also expressed readiness to ensure that humanitarian targets, including ports and airports, remain neutral and are not subject to targeting or blockades.

Regarding maritime security, the Ministry warned that military escalations in the Bab al-Mandab strait threaten international trade and regional stability. It asserted Yemen's legitimate right to exercise sovereignty over its territorial waters and lands, arguing that turning the area into a military theater due to Saudi operations endangers global commerce. Finally, the Ministry rejected characterizations of the conflict as an internal war, citing the continuous military operations by Saudi forces since March 2015.