Yemen Council Chief Calls Support for Army an "Investment" in Global Trade Security

Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi said supporting the Yemeni army amounts to an "investment" in global trade and energy security, according to a report from Anadolu Agency.

Al-Alimi said security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two critical corridors for global shipping and energy trade, depends on the presence of a strong Yemeni state capable of maintaining stability in the region.

Strategic Waterways at Stake

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the wider Red Sea corridor are vital routes for global shipping, including a substantial share of the world's energy trade, making their security a matter of concern well beyond Yemen's borders. Disruptions to shipping through these waterways in recent years have already affected global trade patterns and shipping costs.

The report did not specify the venue or context in which al-Alimi made the remarks, nor did it detail what form of international support for the Yemeni army he is seeking or from which countries.

Al-Alimi's comments come as Yemen continues to grapple with years of internal conflict between the internationally recognized government and Houthi forces, a divide that has also had implications for regional shipping security given Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in recent years.