On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the internationally recognized Prime Minister of Yemen, criticized the United Nations and the international community's approach to the Houthi group, which is designated as a terrorist organization. He stated that this approach "will not lead to peace."

Bin Mubarak made these remarks during a meeting in Aden, Yemen's temporary capital, with the Deputy Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Yemen, Sarhad Fattah, and his accompanying delegation, according to the Yemeni news agency Saba.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the continued neglect of the group's violations, including campaigns of repression, abduction, and mistreatment of UN and international staff, would not bring about peace.

During the meeting, Bin Mubarak received a briefing from the UN official regarding recent efforts at national, regional, and international levels to de-escalate tensions and prioritize the revival of the political process, which the Houthis have disrupted with support from the Iranian regime.

The discussion also covered the Houthis' ongoing obstruction of economic agreements and its implications for the catastrophic humanitarian situation, highlighting the UN's responsibilities in this context.

Bin Mubarak reaffirmed the government's positive engagement with all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement based on locally agreed-upon references supported regionally and internationally. He stressed the importance of maintaining international unity regarding the Yemeni issue and listening to the aspirations of the Yemeni people for stability and peace.

Additionally, Bin Mubarak met with Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and his delegation, who are visiting Yemen for the first time to assess the impact of Houthi terrorist attacks on international shipping.

According to Saba, the meeting addressed the security situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in light of Houthi threats and attacks on commercial vessels, as well as cooperation between Yemen and the IMO to enhance coordination and improve the capabilities of maritime security and safety agencies in Yemen.

Bin Mubarak pointed to recent developments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden resulting from Iranian-backed Houthi piracy, which he claimed has disrupted navigation in this critical maritime corridor. He welcomed potential agreements reached during the visit to strengthen partnerships between Yemen and the IMO and enhance coordination to address the growing challenges facing international shipping in one of the world’s most vital passages.

For his part, the Secretary-General reaffirmed that protecting maritime navigation is a key priority for the organization, including preventing the deterioration of maritime security in this important region. He highlighted the IMO's support for the Yemeni government and coordination on all measures to ensure the protection of maritime navigation, urging member states to bolster Yemen's capabilities in this area.