Yemen’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Muhammad Mutahir Al-Ashbi, has said that the Yemeni government’s foremost priority is peace, while the Houthi movement is pursuing its own political and military agenda. He also warned that any disruption or closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait could create a serious global energy challenge because of the waterway’s importance to international trade and energy supplies.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the Yemeni ambassador described relations between Pakistan and Yemen as highly positive. He said that around 500 Yemeni students are currently studying in Pakistan, reflecting the longstanding educational and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The ambassador said Yemen is currently facing extremely difficult circumstances. According to him, one of the country’s most serious challenges is the protection of Yemen’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He stressed that the Yemeni government wants to establish lasting peace and restore stability throughout the country.
Discussing the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Al-Ashbi said the waterway is one of the world’s most important international maritime routes. It is particularly significant for the transportation of energy, oil and food. He said that a large proportion of international oil supplies passes through the route and warned that its closure would have consequences far beyond Yemen and the wider Middle East.
The ambassador argued that instability around Bab al-Mandab could become a global energy issue because disruptions to maritime traffic could affect international supply chains, energy markets and the movement of essential goods. He therefore emphasized the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the region.
Al-Ashbi said the Yemeni government’s objective is peace, but alleged that the Houthis have a different agenda. He accused the group of seeking greater political and military power and claimed that its policies could result in other Yemenis being treated as second-class citizens.
He further said that the Yemeni government remains committed to achieving permanent peace through political means. However, he alleged that the Houthis have refused to participate meaningfully in negotiations. According to the ambassador, the group has contributed to increased tensions in the current situation instead of helping create conditions for dialogue.
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