ADEN: Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba has said that restoring state institutions and bringing all weapons under the authority of the state are essential for lasting peace in Yemen, regional security and the safety of international maritime routes.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on October 8, 2026, Al-Zouba said Yemen would not be an Iranian pawn and stressed that the country’s stability was directly linked to the security of neighbouring states and international shipping, particularly through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The foreign minister said the Yemeni government had entered a new phase aimed at restoring the state and ending the control of the Houthi militias. She said repeated efforts at de-escalation had failed to produce a sustainable settlement.
Al-Zouba maintained that peace remained an option, but any settlement must preserve the unity of the Yemeni state and must not allow the Houthis to retain independent weapons or political authority outside state institutions.
She said the government’s objective was to restore constitutional institutions and ensure that decisions on war and peace remained exclusively with the state, instead of merely dividing power among political parties.
The minister urged the international community to translate its support into practical programmes to strengthen the Yemeni government’s military, maritime, economic and humanitarian capabilities.
She described Saudi Arabia as Yemen’s principal strategic supporter, referring to its multifaceted political support. She also said the government was receiving growing international support, particularly from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and members of the UN Security Council.
Al-Zouba called for stronger implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, especially the arms embargo. She also urged action against weapons suppliers, financiers, smugglers and intermediaries involved in supply networks.
Speaking about areas retaken by the government from the Houthis, she said the priorities included establishing security, activating civilian administration, paying public sector salaries, rehabilitating infrastructure, reconstruction, the return of displaced people and revival of economic activity.
The foreign minister rejected revenge and collective punishment, saying civilians in areas under Houthi control remained the responsibility of the Yemeni state. She said safe return and amnesty would be available under established procedures.
Referring to the Houthi attack on Aden airport on October 7, 2026, Al-Zouba described it as a terrorist attack targeting civilians. She called for accountability, stronger protection of civil aviation and measures to prevent civilian infrastructure or flights from being used to support military activities.
She said the political process remained open, provided that any settlement restored constitutional government and equal citizenship, and did not legitimise an armed authority parallel to the state.
