Yemeni and Indonesian Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Relations and Developments in Yemen and the Region

Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba held talks today with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, ways to strengthen and develop them, and the latest developments in Yemen and the region. During a telephone call with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Minister Al-Zouba addressed the terrorist attack carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias against the commercial vessel Tahama in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, which resulted in deaths and injuries among members of its crew, including Indonesian nationals. Al-Zouba expressed her condolences to the family of the Indonesian sailor who lost his life in the attack, affirming the Yemeni Government’s commitment to providing cooperation and assistance to the injured Indonesian nationals and facilitating the necessary arrangements for their care and safe evacuation, in coordination with the relevant authorities. The Foreign Minister affirmed that targeting commercial vessels and civilian seafarers, and extending attacks to rescue teams while carrying out their humanitarian duties, underscores the grave nature of the cross-border Houthi threat. She noted that the threat no longer affects freedom of navigation and international trade alone, but also undermines the most basic principles of maritime safety and humanitarian response. She stressed the importance of adopting a firmer international position toward the sources of the threat and strengthening joint efforts to protect maritime routes. For his part, the Indonesian Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by the Yemeni Government and the efforts made by the relevant authorities to rescue and evacuate the seafarers and provide assistance to Indonesian nationals. He emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries, as well as further developing Yemeni-Indonesian relations across various fields.