Foreign Minister Discusses Taiz Siege, Political and Humanitarian Developments with Canadian Counterpart
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Afrah Al-Zouba, discussed the latest developments in Yemen and the region with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, as well as ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Al-Zouba, during a phone call, briefed her Canadian counterpart on the political and humanitarian developments in Yemen and the repercussions of the siege imposed by the Houthi militia on the city of Taiz.
She explained that the continued road closures obstruct the delivery of food and medicine to the city and exacerbate the suffering of the population, warning that fuel shortages threaten to halt essential services, including those provided in hospitals.
Al-Zouba also reviewed the ongoing Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, the repercussions of the group's escalation on Yemen's security and stability, and the threat it poses to regional security and the safety of international navigation.
Al-Zouba and her Canadian counterpart emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination between the two foreign ministries to follow up on developments in Yemen and the region and to discuss issues of common interest.
For her part, Canadian Minister Anand reaffirmed her country's support for the Yemeni government and Canada's commitment to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, expressing her country's keenness to continue providing humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of Yemenis.
She pointed to Canada's public statements condemning Houthi attacks in Yemen and on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
She also affirmed her country's commitment to maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation for ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, and its rejection of targeting commercial vessels.
Source: Yemeni Foreign Ministry
