Yemen Ambassador: Houthis ‘Thriving and Surviving by Creating War’

In an interview with FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen, Yemen’s ambassador to France, Riyad Yassin Abdallah, accused the Iran-backed Houthis of “thriving and surviving by creating war.” His remarks came after Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said the kingdom had been tested and would mount a “serious” response following a string of deadly attacks on Riyadh’s international airport by the Houthis that left 18 people dead. The ambassador’s comments highlight the escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, and the humanitarian and political toll on Yemen. He argues that the Houthis use military aggression to maintain internal control and external relevance, while the international community struggles to find a path to de-escalation. This interview provides a rare perspective from Yemen’s internationally recognized government on the Houthi threat, the role of Iran, and the prospects for peace. It also underscores the regional instability caused by the ongoing attacks and the challenges facing Saudi Arabia as it seeks to protect its territory and interests.