No military solution to conflict in Yemen, Eritrean foreign minister says

In an exclusive interview with Middle East Eye, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh stated that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. Saleh emphasized that Yemen is not a united country and that Yemeni divisions complicate discussions on ensuring safe passage in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Eritrean foreign minister also mentioned that littoral states must decide on how to manage freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, but this is complicated by Yemen's lack of a cohesive government.

Saleh highlighted the strategic position of Eritrea, which has 700 miles of Red Sea coastline, and stressed the importance of safeguarding the Red Sea as a safe passage for all. The recent Houthi offensive down the Red Sea coast has shifted the balance of power in the region, with the Houthis now controlling the entirety of Yemen's coastline across from Eritrea and Djibouti, along with strategic islands.

Diplomats in the region believe that the Houthi offensive serves two purposes: to gain full control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and to push for tolls in the waterway, given their proximity to vessels in range of basic artillery. Saleh expressed that the idea of tolls in the waterway is a new concept, but one that should be discussed among littoral states to ensure free passage. However, he also noted that Yemen's non-existence makes it impossible to speak with it about these issues.