Riyadh: Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi emphasized the importance of restoring state control over the Yemeni coast, describing it as a matter of regional and global interest. His statements were made during a meeting with Egyptian ambassador to Yemen, Ihab Abu Sarea, in Riyadh, as the ambassador concluded his diplomatic mission.

According to Anadolu Agency, al-Alimi expressed concerns about the escalating activities of the Houthis, particularly on the western coast of Taiz province, and accused them of collaborating with expertise linked to the Revolutionary Guard. He highlighted Iran's influence through Houthi movements aimed at impacting Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea, stressing the broader implications for regional and global trade.

Al-Alimi asserted that any military developments near Bab al-Mandeb should not be viewed as a purely Yemeni issue, given the strait's significance as an international maritime passageway. He conveyed gratitude to Egypt for its support and its focus on Red Sea security, urging continued international efforts to curb the flow of weapons to the Houthis and implement UN Security Council resolutions.

The meeting also included the Egyptian ambassador conveying well-wishes from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to the Yemeni people. In response to the situation, a senior Houthi official, Abdul Aziz bin Habtoor, insisted that international navigation remains secure despite reports of Houthi advances, emphasizing Yemen's sovereign right to control its territories and waters.

Yemen's Foreign Minister, Afrah al-Zouba, called on the UN Security Council to address the risks posed by Houthi movements towards the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. This request came amid reports of Houthi military escalation in Taiz and Al-Hudaydah provinces, with significant implications for humanitarian and security conditions in the region.

As military tensions rise, Yemeni government forces have established a command center south of Mocha, underscoring the strategic importance of the region given its proximity to key maritime routes. The renewed escalation between government forces and the Houthis follows a period of relative calm, reflecting the enduring complexities of Yemen's conflict landscape.