Riyadh warns against "militarization of the straits" and calls for a deterrence system

New York – Agencies: Saudi Arabia called for a firm United Nations Security Council response to the “militarization of the straits,” affirming that threats to navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait negatively impact the global economy. Riyadh also stated that the Houthi militia is threatening the safety of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while a Yemeni security source revealed that the Iran-backed group has deployed a large number of mines in the strategic strait, concurrently with digging trenches in the mountains overlooking it.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasile, Saudi Arabia’s representative to the United Nations, affirmed in his address to the Security Council that Riyadh reserves its right to take necessary measures to protect its security. He emphasized support for Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and the protection of its territory.

For its part, Yemen called for an “international deterrence system” to prevent the Houthi militia from threatening navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, warning that Houthi escalation poses a growing threat to regional security and maritime passages.

Abdullah Al-Saadi, Yemen’s representative to the United Nations, stated that his country had previously warned against a policy of containment regarding the Houthi militia, asserting that “the time for warnings has ended” and that Yemen is defending a “shared international interest” linked to the security of maritime passages.

Al-Saadi added, during the Security Council’s emergency session yesterday to discuss developments in Bab el-Mandeb, that the Houthis are “trying to impose new facts by force,” stressing that recent developments “will not change the course of the battle or impose a new reality.”

He clarified that the Yemeni Armed Forces are “reorganizing their ranks and regaining the initiative,” while the government will continue its efforts to protect maritime passages.