Saudi Arabia and Britain announced a new partnership on Tuesday aimed at strengthening Yemen’s coastguard in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on commercial shipping.
Under the agreement, Yemen’s internationally recognised government will receive training and equipment to counter threats including piracy, human trafficking, and smuggling.
The initiative, unveiled at a news conference in Riyadh, is supported by funding worth several million dollars from more than 35 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, Gulf nations, and the European Union. Saudi Arabia alone pledged $4 million, according to its ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.
The move comes as Iran-backed Houthis continue to launch missiles and drones against Israel and Red Sea shipping, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.
Japan’s ambassador to Yemen, Yoichi Nakashima, highlighted the importance of the Yemeni government maintaining control over its coastline, while noting that this step alone may not fully curb Houthi attacks. “We can see this as a first step, to be followed by others,” he told reporters.
