Afrah al-Zoba takes the oath of office, becoming the first Yemeni woman to hold the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Afrah al-Zoubi took the constitutional oath today, Wednesday, before Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, upon her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, making her the first Yemeni woman to hold this position in Yemen’s history.

The Yemeni News Agency (Saba) reported that al-Alimi congratulated Minister al-Zoubi on securing confidence in her role as the first woman to head the Foreign Affairs portfolio in Yemen’s history, expressing his hope that her appointment marks the beginning of a new phase for Yemeni diplomacy, one that is more present and effective in defending state interests and enhancing the country’s regional and international standing.

He stressed that there would be no tolerance for the Iran-backed Houthi militia to fill any potential vacuum, continue to distort facts, or dismantle its misleading narrative before the international community, as it is the party truly responsible for the suffering of the Yemeni people.

He added that the Iranian regime continues to employ armed militias to destabilize the region, threaten neighboring states, target waterways and economic facilities, and undermine peace prospects. He emphasized that recent attacks carried out by the regime’s proxies in the region reflect the continuation of this destructive approach, which threatens international peace and security.

Al-Alimi had issued a decree on July 23 appointing al-Zoubi as Minister of Foreign Affairs, succeeding Shoaib al-Zandani, who had served as both Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Al-Zoubi had previously held the position of Minister of Planning and International Cooperation for several months.