Yemen’s Defense Minister Warns of Severe Repercussions for Unauthorized Presence in Territorial Waters
In a strongly-worded address on Monday, Yemen’s Defense Minister, Major General Mohammad Nasser Al-Atefi, asserted that the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean represent the geopolitical sphere of influence for the Yemeni Armed Forces.
The Minister’s remarks were delivered during an extensive meeting of the Naval Forces Command. Among those in attendance were the Naval Forces Commander Major General Mohammad Fadhl Abdullnabi, Chief of Naval Staff Major General Mansour Ahmed Al-Saadi, and Coastal Defense Brigade Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Al-Qadiri.
The Defense Minister emphasized the readiness of Yemen’s Armed Forces, particularly the Naval Forces, to secure and safeguard international shipping lanes within their territorial waters. He sought to dispel what he termed as misrepresentations by foreign aggressors.
In his address, Minister Al-Atefi hailed the recent advancements in naval capabilities, citing successful trials of advanced naval missiles and warships. He praised the Naval Forces’ achievements in training, combat readiness, and the graduation of specialized combat courses.
He remarked, “At this stage, we are experiencing exceptional events and circumstances requiring us to keep pace with them. We greatly contribute to shaping these events that serve the Yemeni people. The path towards a just, dignified, and honorable peace was first outlined by us with great confidence.”
Minister Al-Atefi underscored Yemen’s sovereign national decision and its influence on local, regional, and international politics, saying, “Today Yemen is the one making sovereign national decisions under wise leadership, and everyone must listen well to it.”
He emphasized the need for more practical efforts to improve the qualification, training, development, and modernization of the naval forces. He stated that strengthening the qualitative aspects of the Armed Forces was among the top priorities of the Ministry of Defense.
The Defense Minister reiterated the commitment of Yemen to securing international shipping routes that are of great global interest, and to abiding by international laws and customs governing navigation.
He refuted rumors and propaganda circulated by foreign countries about their presence in Yemeni waters. He argued that what these countries are doing in terms of occupation and imposition of aggressive naval control over ports, islands, and territorial waters is, in fact, a form of terrorism.
Major General Al-Atefi warned that any unauthorized presence in Yemeni territorial waters would have severe repercussions, and any agreements undermining national sovereignty would be considered suspicious and illegal.
In conclusion, the Defense Minister praised the Yemeni people’s resolve to defend national sovereignty and expressed support for the Palestinian resistance against the occupation. He promised continued assistance until Palestine is liberated and the Aqsa Mosque is cleansed from what he termed the “filth of Zionism.”
Naval Forces Commander Major General Abdullnabi, in his welcoming speech, expressed optimism about the development of the Naval Forces’ combat capabilities, and highlighted their key role in defending the sovereignty, dignity, and honor of Yemen against foreign aggression.