Saudi Arabia and Britain launched a partnership to strengthen the coastguard of Yemen's anti-Houthi government in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden last week, including collecting pledges of millions of dollars to fund the scheme from 35 countries.
British Ambassador to Yemen Abda Sharif and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed al-Jabir announced the partnership, along with the Foreign Minister of the anti-Houthi government in Yemen, Shaya Zindani, following the inaugural Yemen Maritime Security Partnership Conference in Riyadh.
Jaber confirmed that Saudi Arabia alone is pledging four million dollars to the scheme. Other donors include the US, the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, and other Gulf countries.
The Red Sea to the west of Yemen, and the Gulf of Aden to the south, are major maritime transit routes, which Houthi terrorists have attacked, particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, by firing upon ships in transit, and hijacking vessels that the terror group alleges are linked to Israel.
"The United Kingdom affirms its commitment to supporting the Coast Guard and the Yemeni government. The generous pledges we have witnessed today reflect the scale of international support for Yemen," Sharif said after the conference.
Reactions from Yemen's anti-Houthi government praising the pledges
Head of the anti-Houthi government in Yemen, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, welcomed the role of Saudi Arabia and Britain in sponsoring the conference.
Alimi commented that the conference "marks the launch of a strategic partnership that strengthens the security of our waterways, reaffirms our strong commitment to combating terrorism and cross-border threats, and safeguards the interests and national security of our people."
Zindani expressed his sincere thanks to Saudi Arabia, and commended the efforts of Britain in establishing the Yemen Technical Support Mechanism in January.
Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani welcomed the initiative, stating that it "reflects the commitment of international partners to support Yemen in confronting various threats, representing a qualitative leap in strengthening maritime security, protecting international trade routes, combating piracy and smuggling, and supporting sustainable economic development in Yemen and the region."
Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Coast Guard Maj.-Gen. Khalid Ali al-Qamli commented that "International community investment today will enhance training, strengthen the participation of female personnel, and ensure a secure future for Yemen and a safe maritime corridor for the world."