PROVINCE REPORT
Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba has said restoring state institutions and bringing all weapons under state authority are essential for lasting peace in Yemen, regional security and the safety of international shipping through the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on October 8, 2026, Al-Zouba said the Yemeni government had entered a new phase focused on restoring state authority and ending Houthi militia control after repeated de-escalation efforts failed to achieve a sustainable settlement.
She stressed that peace remained possible, but any agreement must preserve Yemen’s unity and prevent the Houthis from maintaining independent weapons or political authority outside state institutions. She said decisions on war and peace must rest exclusively with the state.
The minister highlighted the link between Yemen’s security, neighbouring countries and international trade routes. She called for practical international support to strengthen Yemen’s military, maritime, economic and humanitarian capabilities, identifying Saudi Arabia as the country’s principal strategic supporter.
She also called for stronger implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, particularly its arms embargo, and action against weapons suppliers, financiers, smugglers and intermediaries supporting illicit arms networks.
Al-Zouba said priorities in areas retaken from the Houthis included restoring security and civilian administration, paying public employees, rebuilding infrastructure, facilitating the return of displaced people and reviving economic activity. She rejected revenge and collective punishment, emphasising that civilians in Houthi-controlled areas remained the responsibility of the Yemeni state.
Condemning the Houthi attack on Aden airport on October 7, she described it as a terrorist attack targeting civilians and called for accountability and stronger protection of civil aviation.
She reaffirmed that the political process remained open, provided any settlement restored constitutional government, guaranteed equal citizenship and did not legitimise an armed authority operating parallel to the state.
