Al-Alimi: Restoring our control over the Yemeni coast is an Egyptian, Arab, and international interest

During the meeting, Al-Alimi touched on the recent developments in Yemen, accusing the Houthi group of "escalation at all levels with the participation of expertise linked to the Revolutionary Guard and groups allied with it," especially on the western coast of Taiz Governorate.

He said that the Iranian regime seeks, through the Houthis' movements towards the western coast, to "give the group the ability to influence Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea," "making the pressures on Tehran transferable into a cost on the region, trade, and global markets," according to his expression.

Al-Alimi added that "any attempt to change the military situation near Bab al-Mandab cannot be treated as a purely Yemeni affair."

He pointed out that the strait is a "vital international passage, and any threat to it extends directly to the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and global trade."

He expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian position supporting the Yemeni government, valuing Cairo's interest in the security of the Red Sea and the stability of its countries.

Al-Alimi also expressed his confidence in the continuation of Egypt's role in supporting Yemeni state institutions, and pushing at the Arab and international levels towards implementing Security Council resolutions and preventing the flow of weapons, technology, and military expertise to the Houthis.

The Egyptian ambassador had conveyed to Al-Alimi the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wishes for security, stability, and peace for the Yemeni people, while the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council praised Abu Saree's efforts in strengthening relations between the two countries.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of military escalation between government forces and the Houthis on several fronts in Yemen, particularly in the governorates of Taiz (west), Al-Jawf (north), and Al-Bayda (center), amidst airstrikes targeting the group's positions.

Earlier on Thursday, Yemeni government forces announced the formation of a command center south of the city of Mocha near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, following breaches carried out by the Houthi group on several fronts in the west of the country.

In contrast, activists on social media posted pictures of "Houthi militants" after they took control of the Hays and Al-Khawkhah districts south of Hodeidah Governorate.

Meanwhile, private Yemeni media, including the "Al-Masdar Online" website (private), reported that Houthi forces had reached the strategic port of Mocha on the Red Sea, following their control of Hays and Al-Khawkhah.

Since March 2015, neighboring Saudi Arabia has led a coalition to support the legitimate government in Yemen, in the face of the Houthi group, which is accused of receiving Iranian support and has controlled Sanaa and several governorates since September 2014.