Tawakkol Karman Urges Restoration of Yemeni State to Secure Global Trade and Defeat Houthi Militias
Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman stated that restoring a functioning Yemeni state is the only viable path to achieving lasting peace and countering the Iran-backed Houthi militia. Karman argued that Yemen's internal collapse is no longer a localized crisis, but a threat to international navigation, energy security, and global supply chains. The Houthi group has escalated its maritime presence, declaring a naval blockade of Saudi ports and launching frequent missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These attacks have disrupted trade, forcing many vessels to seek alternative routes. While the U.S. and its regional partners continue to provide naval support, Karman emphasized that naval presence alone cannot remove the threat of Houthi-controlled territory. She advocated for a ground-based approach to secure the waterway, noting that without a restored Yemeni state, sustainable peace remains elusive. The administration remains focused on protecting freedom of navigation while empowering regional partners to manage security challenges.
Sources
-
Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces growing threat as Houthi attacks raise fears of a second Hormuz
Fox News
-
Houthis Claim Strike on Saudi Vessel as Red Sea Violence Escalates
The New York Times
-
August 15, 2026 — Shipping faces more disruptions in the Middle East
CNN
-
Houthis reportedly kill six in first deadly attack since start of Iran war
BBC
-
Politics
The Economist