In a recent communication to leaders of parliamentary unions and various regional and international parliaments, Yemen’s al-Ra’i emphasized the nation’s commitment to safeguarding maritime routes and ensuring the freedom of international trade as a coastal state along the Red Sea. He asserted that military developments within Yemen have not jeopardized the safety of international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, while criticizing Saudi Arabia for its ongoing military escalation and blockade against Yemeni citizens.
Al-Ra’i reaffirmed Yemen’s dedication to facilitating safe passage for all vessels within its territorial waters, with the exception of those linked to Saudi Arabia, which are subject to a prohibition. He characterized this stance as part of a strategy of reciprocal action, where “blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation” will continue until Saudi Arabia ceases its aggression and lifts the blockade on Yemen.
In a related context, Lahj Governor Ahmed Jreib framed the conflict as one primarily directed against Saudi Arabia rather than the southern and eastern provinces of Yemen. He clarified that the ongoing war targets the Saudi forces, which he described as a “foreign occupier” exploiting local youth for its military objectives. Jreib urged the people of Yemen to unite across regional lines to expel the occupier and end the blockade affecting the nation.
