Yemeni government condemns Houthi Red Sea attack
. . . says coalition response aimed at protecting maritime security
The Yemeni government has accused the Houthi militia of carrying out a “new criminal escalation” by targeting a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, saying the incident demonstrates the group’s intent to obstruct regional and international efforts to reduce tensions and draw Yemen into conflicts unrelated to the interests of its people.
In a statement issued early Saturday, the government said the military response by the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen was part of joint efforts to counter security threats, protect international maritime navigation, secure vital sea routes and prevent attacks on civilian vessels.
The government said the operation was carried out in line with international law and the principles of necessity and proportionality, adding that precautions were taken to avoid harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure.
It praised what it described as the precision of the operation, saying it was limited to legitimate military targets linked to Houthi threats and conducted with measures aimed at protecting civilians and civilian facilities.
The statement stressed that Yemeni ports, including the port of Hodeidah, continue to operate normally, receiving commercial ships and humanitarian aid shipments without disruption. It said the continued operation of ports reflects the coalition’s commitment to protecting civilian infrastructure, maintaining the flow of goods, food and fuel, and safeguarding international trade.
The Yemeni government said the latest escalation showed that the Houthis were continuing to use the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait as leverage in regional and international disputes, at the expense of Yemen’s interests.
It said Yemen, in coordination with the coalition and regional and international partners, would continue taking measures to protect civilians, preserve the country’s sovereignty, secure maritime routes and ensure the continued functioning of Yemeni ports.
The government vowed not to allow Yemeni territory to be used as a platform for threatening neighboring countries or international navigation.
Holding the Houthi movement responsible for the humanitarian, economic and security consequences of what it called a “destructive approach,” the government urged the international community to take stronger action against the group, including addressing its sources of funding and arms supplies and holding those supporting it accountable.
