[18/09/2026 06:02]

SOFIA-SABA
The Acting Yemeni Ambassador to Bulgaria, Ambassador Ahmed Shammer stated that the threat posed by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias has gone beyond Yemen's borders and now poses a threat to regional security, freedom of navigation, international trade, energy security and supply chains between Asia and Europe.

He made his statement during a press conference held today, Friday, at the headquarters of the Bulgarian Journalists' Union in the capital Sofia, regarding developments in Yemen, the Houthi escalation, and the threats to the security of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, with the participation of the Saudi Ambassador to Bulgaria Dr. Rami al-Otaibi.

"The security of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb is no longer just a Yemeni or regional issue; it represents a direct international interest, considering the strategic importance of this passage in global trade and energy movement", Shammari remarked.

He confirmed the Yemeni government's rejection of turning the western coast, islands, and Yemeni territorial waters into a permanent platform to threaten neighboring countries and international navigation.

He made it clear that Iranian support, along with networks for transporting weapons, technology, and military expertise, has contributed to boosting the military capabilities of the militias.

Shammer called for moving from condemnation to more effective international actions in order to eliminate the threat of the terrorist Houthi militias, namely strict enforcement of Security Council resolutions and arms bans, as well as confronting networks involved in funding, smuggling and transferring technology and dual-use components.

At the press conference, attended by media representatives and a number of people interested in regional and international affairs, he warned that the continued presence of armed militias outside state institutions on one of the world's most important maritime routes poses an ongoing threat to regional and international security.

He also underlined the humanitarian consequences of the escalation, and the displacement and suffering it caused for civilians, calling on the international community and donors to strengthen support for the government and international and humanitarian organizations to aid the displaced and host communities and protect civilians.

The Ambassador Shammar reaffirmed the Yemeni government's commitment to peace as a strategic option in line with agreed-upon references and relevant Security Council resolutions, specifically Resolution 2216, emphasizing that achieving sustainable peace requires restoring state institutions, extending its sovereignty, monopolizing weapons, and not allowing Yemen's territory to be used to threaten neighboring countries or international navigation.

For his part, the Saudi ambassador went over the security challenges facing the region and the threats to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, as well as the impact that attacks on ships and infrastructure have on energy, supply security, trade, markets, and the global economy. He stressed the importance of protecting maritime routes, ensuring freedom of navigation, and maintaining stable supply chains and global energy markets.

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