Yemen’s Deputy FM: US Poses the Greatest Threat to International Shipping in the Red Sea

On Feb 6, 2024

Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi affirmed on Monday that the United States is spreading falsehoods regarding the situation in Gaza and the southern Red Sea. He stated that the world is aware of Washington’s deception.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address developments related to the situation in the southern Red Sea and the US-UK aggression, Al-Azzi reassured the global community that navigation remains secure across the Red Sea. Despite facing aggression for nine years, the safety of navigation has not been compromised.

Al-Ezzi emphasized that the targeting of American and British ships is a consequence of the aggression on Yemen. He confirmed that the militarization of the Red Sea by the US and UK poses a threat to navigation security.

The Deputy Foreign Minister clarified Yemen’s position, stating that the country prohibits Israeli ships from heading to the occupied ports of Palestine until the aggression ceases and the blockade on Gaza is lifted.

He condemned the silence on Israeli crimes in Gaza and affirmed Yemen’s unwavering support. Al-Ezzi asserted that Yemen has dedicated all its capabilities to back Gaza and will persist until the aggression stops and the borders open.

He pointed out that the countries of the world understand the framework of the Yemeni position in the southern Red Sea related to the situation in Gaza, commending the supportive stances towards Yemen’s position in the Red Sea.

He emphasized that Sana’a will pursue peace with all its surroundings and is prepared for peace with Riyadh, clarifying that there are obstacles created by the US and those Yemeni parties influenced by them.

Al-Ezzi perceived that the ongoing conflict is between the will of good, represented by Yemen, and the will of evil, represented by the US. He considered the UK to be a “subservient tail to the US,” adding: “We are ready to make the greatest sacrifices to achieve the triumph of the will of good over the will of evil.”

“The US has no friend,” he added.

He called on any remaining Yemenis aligned with the aggression to return to their homeland. He also offered advice to Saudi-mercenaries, stating, “You are at a crossroads,” emphasizing that there is no room for tolerance with those who stand with Israel or the US.

American lies

Pointing to historical American lies, Al-Ezzi highlighted instances such as the war against Mexico, false pretexts for attacking Cuba and the Philippines, the fabricated story of a Soviet spy plane, and the false claim of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Addressing international navigation security, he assured the EU that navigation is safe. Al-Ezzi emphasized that the US is the security threat in the Red Sea and the initiator of aggression against Yemen.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of the massacres happening in Gaza and Palestine, and the US-UK aggression on Yemen is the price for standing with Gaza,” he said.

Navigation Security on Yemen’s List of Priorities

He affirmed that international navigation security is on Yemen’s list of priorities, reassuring the EU that navigation is safe. He pointed out that the Yemeni Armed Forces have been clear since the beginning of the Zionist aggression on Gaza by targeting Israeli ships. At the same time, he noted that thousands of ships have crossed the Red Sea despite the blockade on Israeli ships.

He emphasized that America is the threat to security in the Red Sea and is the one initiating aggression against the country.

Stating that Bab el-Mandeb is part of Yemen’s regional waters, he asserted Yemen’s right to confront ships violating its territory. Al-Ezzi confirmed approximately 300 US-UK airstrikes on Yemen and warned that America and Britain must be prepared to be held accountable and pay a high price.

The US and UK have been conducting strikes against Yemen in response to Yemeni forces’ attacks on Israeli-owned ships or vessels heading to occupied territories.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 27,365 people and wounded another 66,630 individuals, come to an end.

Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi has said that it is “a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly.”

The attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal