Yemen warns UN that Houthi control of Red Sea routes threatens global economy

Yemen's Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly, warning that Houthi rebel activities pose a significant threat to the global economy. He stated that the group is using maritime navigation as a ‘tool for blackmail,’ effectively taking the global economy hostage.

The Vice President highlighted that the Houthis have recently seized the port city of Mokha and key Red Sea islands, granting them enhanced surveillance capabilities over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This waterway is critical to international commerce, accounting for approximately 12% of global trade.

Bawazir accused the Houthis of using humanitarian pauses to strengthen their military arsenal and argued that the conflict is sustained by Iranian military support, including weapons and technology. He urged the international community to prevent further technology transfers to the rebels and emphasized that maritime security requires addressing the source of the threat on land rather than merely protecting ships at sea.