Aden, Sept. 19 (SANA)Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and ExpatriatesAfrah al-Zouba affirmed that Yemen is neither a bargaining chip in regional negotiations nor an arena for settling scores, stressing thatYemenismust determine their country’s future and that the government remains committed to restoring state institutions and safeguarding its sovereignty.

In an interview with Russia’s Sputnik news agency,al-Zoubasaid on Saturday that Developments on the ground along Yemen’s western coast do not alter the government’s goal of restoring state institutions and securing the country’s territory, coastline and territorial waters, nor do they give theHouthi militiathe right to impose a fait accompli by force of arms.

“The government was dealing with recent developments while prioritizing civilian protection and the needs of displaced people. She said thepolitical leadershipwas pursuing what she described as an “integrated deterrence” approach alongside diplomatic efforts, maintaining state institutions and services, and responding to humanitarian needs”, al-Zouba added.

She warned that threats to security in theRed Sea and Bab al-Mandabwent beyond disruption to shipping, saying sustainable stability required enabling Yemeni state institutions to protect the country’scoastline, ports and islands. She called for stronger maritime cooperation, enhanced coast guard capabilities and efforts to combat smuggling andorganized crime.

Al-Zouba praised Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemen and said the partnership between the two countries was based on shared interests and neighboring ties and extended to development and recovery, noting thatSaudi Arabia’ssupport for the Yemeni state represents an important pillar for Yemen’s security and regional stability.

She also welcomedRussia’s supportfor freedom of navigation and its opposition to attacks oncommercial shipping.

The minister reiterated her government’s opposition toIranian supportfor the Houthis, saying the use of Yemen’s strategic location to threaten neighboring countries and maritime routes did not serve regional stability.

She stressed that Yemen should not be used to compensate for losses elsewhere, as an arena for settling scores or as a bargaining chip in regional negotiations.

“The core of the crisis lies in the militias’ seizure of state authority and their imposition of power over Yemenis by force of arms, she said, stressing that Yemen’s future must be determined by Yemenis through their state and national process, with the support of their regional andinternational partners“, al-Zouba said.

Al-Zouba concluded that achieving stability requires restoring state institutions and safeguarding Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with national and international frameworks, foremost among themU.N. Security Council Resolution 2216. She stressed that any future arrangements must be based on institutions that hold exclusive authority over weapons and sovereign decision-making.

Fighting is ongoing on several fronts in Yemen betweenYemeni forcesand the Houthi militia as part of operations aimed at restoring state institutions and ending the militia’s control.