Abdulwahid Aburas, the interim foreign minister of the Houthis, announced on Friday that the group has no plans to close the Red Sea traffic and that the movement of ships continues normally. He pointed out that the decrease in ship movements is due to the recent occupation of areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, emphasizing that these concerns are mainly fueled by Saudi Arabia.
Baseless Concerns
In an exclusive interview, Aburas stated, without providing further details, that maritime traffic in the Red Sea continues to operate normally. He added: "Concerns about the possibility of closing the Red Sea are baseless and are mainly promoted by the Saudis. We never intend to harm maritime traffic, as this is not in anyone's interest."
Current Situation in Yemen
The Houthis, who control vast areas of northwestern Yemen, pose a significant challenge to the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Saudi coalition with approximately 350,000 fighters in their ranks. In this context, Aburas referred to the role of the Houthis in establishing stability in the region, stating that the group is ready to engage in constructive negotiations and cooperation with various parties.
He also emphasized the need for international cooperation to establish peace and stability in Yemen, saying: "We always support diplomacy and dialogue to resolve crises and hope that other countries will adopt a similar approach. In this regard, we are seeking solutions that lead to a reduction in tensions and improvement in the daily lives of the Yemeni people."
While the Houthis are presented as a military and political power in Yemen, concerns about the humanitarian situation in the country remain high. In this context, Aburas stressed the group's commitment to maintaining maritime security and preventing any threats to the movement of ships.
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