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Alimi Returns to Aden, Thanks Coalition, Donor Countries

The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, upon arriving in Aden (Saba)
The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, upon arriving in Aden (Saba)
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Alimi Returns to Aden, Thanks Coalition, Donor Countries

The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, upon arriving in Aden (Saba)
The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, upon arriving in Aden (Saba)

The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, affirmed the keenness of the Council and the government to fulfill their declared pledges to Yemenis.

Alimi arrived in Aden on Saturday, coming from Riyadh.

Alimi told Saba News Agency that the government aimed to increase Yemen's presence in the regional and international arenas, noting that this year will witness the opening of several projects, with the support of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

He expressed great gratitude to the coalition countries, friends, and international donors who always respond to emergency support programs to alleviate human suffering caused by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

In addition, the President affirmed the Council and the government's commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable peace approach based on the references agreed upon nationally, regionally, and internationally.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak discussed boosting bilateral relations with the US ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin.

The meeting addressed recent developments and efforts to establish peace in Yemen.

Bin Mubarak affirmed the Yemeni government's commitment to establishing a comprehensive and just peace that guarantees an end to the suffering caused by the war waged by the terrorist Houthi militia.

He stressed that the only obstacle to establishing peace in Yemen is the intransigence of the militias, who refuse to fulfill their obligations to achieve a comprehensive and just peace.

The Minister pointed out that these terrorist militias' affiliation with the Iranian regime threatens stability in Yemen and represents a threat to all regional countries and international peace and security.

Bin Mubarak also touched on the importance of supporting the Yemeni government and strengthening cooperation programs between Yemen and the US, especially in the economic, development, and security fields, noting that it would enable the government to face the challenges caused by the ongoing Houthi aggression.

He stressed that the government's support would reflect positively on improving services provided to citizens and contribute to alleviating their suffering.

For his part, Fagin reviewed the US support to Yemen, stressing that the embassy attaches particular importance to supporting humanitarian work.

The Ambassador asserted that the US supports the Yemeni government in achieving economic stability, reiterating Washington's position in support of the Presidential Leadership Council.

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Arab World

Muted Responses to Deadly Houthi Escalation and Rising Insurance Costs

The Greek ship Magic Seas sank in the Red Sea as a result of Houthi attacks (Reuters). 
The Greek ship Magic Seas sank in the Red Sea as a result of Houthi attacks (Reuters). 
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Muted Responses to Deadly Houthi Escalation and Rising Insurance Costs

The Greek ship Magic Seas sank in the Red Sea as a result of Houthi attacks (Reuters). 
The Greek ship Magic Seas sank in the Red Sea as a result of Houthi attacks (Reuters). 

As the Houthi threat to international shipping grows ever more serious - most recently with the sinking of two Greek vessels, killing three sailors and leaving twelve missing - there has been little substantial reaction from major world powers. The United States, Germany’s foreign minister, and the UN envoy to Yemen were among the few to voice concern and call for de-escalation.

While Houthi attacks intensify across the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, insurance premiums for commercial ships in these waters have surged to as much as 1% of a vessel’s value, according to leading global insurers. This underscores the scale of the risk and the declining confidence in protecting this vital maritime corridor.

The two assaults targeted the cargo ships Magic Seas and True Confidence between Sunday and Tuesday last week. According to the EU naval mission Aspides, tasked with safeguarding Red Sea navigation, the attacks killed at least three sailors, wounded others, and left a dozen unaccounted for.

The strike on the Liberian-flagged Greek-operated True Confidence marked a dangerous escalation. The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they used an explosive-laden drone boat and six ballistic and cruise missiles. They alleged the ship was heading to Israel’s port of Eilat, though independent verification was lacking.

Despite the scale of the violence, most global capitals limited their responses to brief statements. Only the US ambassador to the UN issued a pointed condemnation, along with remarks from a State Department spokesperson and a statement by UN envoy Hans Grundberg.

The US denounced the attacks as “terrorist and unjustified,” describing them as evidence of the “ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed Houthis to regional maritime security and commerce.” The US ambassador stressed Washington’s commitment to denying the Houthis resources to fund such operations and called on the UN Security Council to remove obstacles blocking its expert monitoring teams in Yemen.

The State Department likewise condemned the attacks as a threat to the freedom of navigation and economic stability. “We will continue to take necessary steps to protect commercial shipping,” the statement warned, urging the broader international community to condemn the Houthis’ actions.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Iran must use its influence to halt Houthi attacks. Speaking in Vienna alongside his Israeli and Austrian counterparts, he declared: “We strongly condemn these attacks and expect Iran to act to stop them.”

UN envoy Grundberg expressed deep concern about the sinking of True Confidence, warning of the humanitarian and environmental consequences of such operations, which violate international law and Security Council Resolution 2722. He urged the Houthis to provide sustainable guarantees to end attacks and build on prior understandings with the United States.

Oman had brokered a limited agreement last May under which the Houthis pledged to stop targeting American ships in return for a suspension of broad US-led military action - though the deal excluded Israel.

A Dangerous Precedent

Yemeni officials say the tepid reactions from much of the world send the Houthis the wrong message, reinforcing their sense of impunity. On Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi boasted in his weekly address about sinking the vessels, calling it a “clear lesson” to any shipping company doing business with Israel.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out over 150 attacks, disrupting global trade flows through the Red Sea. Their operations have sunk British and Greek ships and damaged many more, including hijacking the Galaxy Leader and holding its crew for over a year.