Barran Press
The internationally recognized Yemeni government stated on November 7, 2024, that the Houthi group's militarization of the Red Sea and its attacks on commercial shipping vessels have significantly impacted food supplies in Yemen, leading to rising prices.
This assertion was made by Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Salem Abdullah Al-Soqotri, during Yemen's address at the political forum held in Addis Ababa as part of the international conference "A World Without Hunger," organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the African Union Commission.
According to Yemen's official news agency Saba, Minister Al-Soqotri noted that events in the Red Sea have led to an increase in food insecurity, affecting approximately 17 million people, which represents about 53% of the population.
He highlighted that around two million children under the age of five, as well as pregnant and lactating women, are suffering from malnutrition, while the number of internally displaced persons exceeds four million.
Al-Soqotri emphasized Yemen's commitment to strengthening all avenues of bilateral cooperation to transition gradually from humanitarian efforts to developmental initiatives aimed at improving food security.
In his remarks, the minister also pointed out that Yemen has been receiving large numbers of irregular migrants, estimating "tens of thousands," and that the government is coordinating with the International Organization for Migration to provide them with care.
He reiterated the Yemeni government's dedication to mobilizing support and utilizing available resources to confront the various challenges facing the country, highlighting key initiatives in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, including encouraging local grain production and enhancing rural livelihoods through skill development and rehabilitation of fishing infrastructure.
Since October 2023, the Houthi group, which is classified as a terrorist organization internationally, has continued its missile and drone attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
These attacks have resulted in increased marine insurance costs and have compelled many international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023, and U.S. forces have intermittently conducted strikes against Houthi military targets.