{"id":68363,"date":"2026-09-13T21:03:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T21:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=68363"},"modified":"2026-09-13T21:03:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T21:03:51","slug":"bab-al-mandab-must-never-become-a-tool-of-extortion-in-the-hands-of-an-armed-group-operating-outside-state-institutions-fm-yemen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/bab-al-mandab-must-never-become-a-tool-of-extortion-in-the-hands-of-an-armed-group-operating-outside-state-institutions-fm-yemen\/","title":{"rendered":"Bab al-Mandab must never become a tool of extortion in the hands of an armed group operating outside state institutions : FM Yemen"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"Middle East Monitoring Desk Islamabad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, the Foreign Minister of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, has taken a firm, proactive stance on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, framing its protection as an issue of both Yemeni sovereignty and vital global security.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She has\u00a0affirmed during her recent meetings with European Union representatives that enabling the legitimate state institutions to protect their coasts and territorial waters constitutes a fundamental pillar for the security of Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea, and the safety of international navigation and trade.<\/p>\n

She stressed that this vital passage must remain safe and open to global maritime traffic \u2014 and must never become a tool of extortion in the hands of an armed group operating outside state institutions \u2014 in a manner that serves the interests of all nations economically connected to it, including the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which shares a deep historical relationship with the Republic of Yemen.<\/p>\n

Following escalated Houthi military actions and attacks on maritime infrastructure near the strait, Dr. Al-Zouba has actively used international diplomatic channels to highlight the strategic threats facing the region.<\/p>\n

Her core positions and statements regarding Bab al-Mandab include:<\/p>\n

Reclaiming State Sovereignty as a Security Prerequisite<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Al-Zouba repeatedly stresses that the ultimate solution to securing international shipping routes is empowering legitimate Yemeni state institutions to protect the nation’s coastlines and territorial waters. She argues that international maritime safety cannot rely purely on foreign naval intervention; rather, upgrading the capabilities of the Yemeni Naval Forces and Coast Guard is essential to control smuggling networks and secure ports like the Port of Mokha.<\/p>\n

Rejecting Maritime Chokepoints as Tools of Coercion<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In her briefings with European Union representatives and other foreign dignitaries, Dr. Al-Zouba has warned that the Houthi militia is attempting to mirror Iran’s strategy of holding critical international shipping chokepoints hostage. She maintains that Bab al-Mandab must remain a safe, open passage for global trade and never be used as a tool for extortion or political leverage by armed non-state groups.<\/p>\n

President Al-Alimi: ” Yemen’s Defense of Bab al-Mandab Is a Defense of the Security of Global Maritime Passages and Life-Saving Supplies “<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n