[10/11/2026 01:36]

ADEN – SABA
The Ministry of Transport welcomed the attitudes and decisions issued by the 138th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, held at the organization's headquarters in London, which included a strong condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthi terrorist militias against commercial ships and their crews in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The Minister of Transport Mohsen al-Omari confirmed, in a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), that this condemnation represents an important international stance regarding the Houthi attacks targeting international maritime navigation, posing a direct threat to the lives of sailors, the safety of commercial ships, and the freedom of navigation, in addition to their serious implications for global trade, supply chains and the humanitarian and economic situation in Yemen and the region.

The minister made it clear that the Republic of Yemen, as a coastal country bordering the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, is one of the most affected countries by these attacks, which threaten its maritime security, economic interests, trade and humanitarian aid through its ports.

He confirmed Yemen's support for all international efforts aimed at deterring these attacks and ensuring the safety and stability of vital sea routes.

Regarding the security developments in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, al-Omari welcomed the Council's interest in the increase of piracy and armed robbery incidents, noting that 17 actual attempted piracy and armed robbery cases have been recorded in the region since the beginning of the year, according to the session's proceedings.

He emphasized that these incidents pose an additional threat to the safety of ships and sailors, and call for enhancing regional and international cooperation and coordination, supporting the coastal states' capabilities—especially Yemen—in maritime monitoring, rapid response, information sharing, and activating the Djibouti Code of Conduct and related agreements to combat piracy.

Al-Omari reaffirmed the Republic of Yemen's willingness to fully cooperate with the IMO, partner countries and regional organizations to tackle piracy and organized crime at sea, protect maritime routes, and ensure the smooth flow of trade and humanitarian aid to Yemeni ports without obstacles.

The Minister of Transport expressed his appreciation to the Secretary-General of the IMO Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, as well as the chairmanship and members of the council, for their positions and efforts aimed at protecting sailors and safeguarding the safety and security of international maritime navigation.

---