Al-Mashat: Sana’a Has ‘Unexpected Options’ Against Saudi Arabia
SANA’A -- The head of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council said on Sunday that maritime navigation in the Bab el-Mandab Strait remains safe and that Sana’a possesses “diverse and unexpected options” to recover its rights from the Saudi-led coalition, as he marked the 100th day of the latest Saudi escalation and welcomed an Egyptian mediation initiative.
Mahdi al-Mashat said in a statement carried by
Al-Masirah that what threatens the Strait’s security is the Saudi military’s transformation of Bab el-Mandab into a war zone, and called on the international community to condemn that action.
“Yemen will continue on its path, trusting in God and in the righteousness of its cause, and will not retreat from recovering these rights,” al-Mashat said. He said Sana’a would use “all available means to end the aggression and blockade.”
Al-Mashat welcomed an initiative by Egypt’s Al-Azhar religious institution, which called on October 19 for a committee of representatives, scholars and figures from Islamic and Arab countries to mediate and work toward ending the conflicts.
He said Sana’a welcomes any initiative in this regard and that the likelihood of success is high if there is genuine will on the part of mediators and parties. “The peace option is less costly, more effective and more sustainable,” he said.
The Al-Azhar statement called for a committee to work on resolving disputes and halting the fighting among Muslim peoples.
Al-Mashat reiterated Sana’a’s position in support of the Palestinian people and called for the formation of an Islamic coalition to confront threats facing the Islamic nation, foremost among them Israel and what he described as the American project.
He said Saudi Arabia is repeatedly making false claims against Yemen, particularly allegations of targeting Medina, describing them as a sign of the coalition’s weakness and failure and saying it acts according to Israeli plans.
He held Saudi Arabia fully responsible for any attack on Mecca, pilgrims or Medina and warned that if such “folly” occurred, the Islamic nation—including the people of Yemen—would not remain silent and would take a decisive practical position in defense of the holy sites.
Al-Mashat cited Verse 194 of Surat al-Baqarah, saying Yemen’s position is based on the Qur’anic principle of proportionate response, and that the country seeks an end to the 12-year Saudi blockade and aggression, redress for humanitarian cases and compensation for damages, in accordance with international principles and conventions.