The Yemen Coast Guard, which had international support, fled to Djibouti after losing the backing of General Tariq Saleh's military forces on the southwestern coast. This guard, which had received millions of dollars in training from Western countries, was established to combat piracy and prevent trafficking from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and was considered a key project for protecting maritime transport in the Red Sea and stabilizing Yemen's coasts.
Consequences of the Houthi Takeover
As the Houthis continue their advance towards Mocha, many of the Coast Guard forces supported by General Saleh fled to Djibouti, joining the tens of thousands of Yemenis who have escaped the country. The British government is working closely with the remnants of the Coast Guard, and a Western diplomat has confirmed that international support will continue, but this support will be limited to the Gulf of Aden and areas under the control of the Yemeni government.
Read more: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Leave 13 Injured
There are fears that General Saleh's retreat from the Bab al-Mandab Strait will allow the Houthis to expand their trafficking networks. According to a Yemeni researcher, this takeover has dealt a serious blow to efforts to cut off the supply of weapons and dual-use items to the Houthis. He stated that nothing can stop the flow of shipments anymore.
Weakening of International Support for Yemen
The Houthi takeover has revealed the weakness of international support for Yemen, which critics say has been limited to stabilizing coastal borders while the civil war continues. Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British diplomat, stated that while supporting the Coast Guard is a good move, it is not enough, and trafficking will still occur.
The Coast Guard on the southwestern coast has been supported by the naval forces of the National Resistance, led by one of Yemen's powerful figures. General Saleh, who has received Saudi support since the beginning of this year, has played a key role in international efforts to secure Yemen's coasts. He has traveled to Jeddah and is negotiating to strengthen his position.
In July, these forces succeeded in seizing a shipment of Iranian weapons destined for the Houthis, confiscating over 750 tons of ammunition and military equipment. These successes were achieved with the help of international support. Britain allocated $4 million last year to upgrade the Yemen Coast Guard fleet and purchase new boats.
However, this aid only meets part of Yemen's needs, and more must be done to strengthen the government against the political and security threats posed by the Houthis. Fitton-Brown emphasized that the Yemeni government is under dual pressures from the Houthis as well as separatist movements in the south.
Read more: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Discussed Regional Stability with Arab Foreign Ministers · Houthi Control of Yemen's Western Coasts and Strategic Islands in the Red Sea
