Crisis in Red Sea could affect peace in Yemen

Demonstration in Yemen rally after US and Britain carry out strikes against Houthis

Source: Vatican News/Asia News

Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia has said recent developments in the Red Sea haven't affected so far ordinary life in Yemen, though they could affect the peace process in the war-torn country. The military escalation in the Red Sea risks making it even more difficult for Yemen to recover from its nine-year long war, he said.

Speaking to Asia News, Bishop Martinelli expressed hope that the intensification of the military confrontation in the area will not stop the latest peace-making efforts in Yemen. The country has experienced war and devastation since 2014, when pro-Iranian Houthi rebels stormed the Yemeni capital Sanaa and toppled the internationally recognized and Saudi-backed government. The conflict has killed thousands and caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 4.5 million people displaced, while the prospects of the conflict ending are still very slim due deep gap in trust between the two sides.

The eruption of the war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023 could cause a further setback to this slow and difficult process, following the attacks carried out by the Houthi against cargos in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, and now the US and UK targeted raids on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Bishop Martinelli reported that the latest developments so far haven't affected ordinary daily life in country, though he said, the raids certainly add to the "great concern for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza" and for its extending to other countries in the Middle East.

The bishop also spoke about the small Christian community in Yemen, that has suffered a lot in the past due to war and sectarian violence, as happened with the killing of four Missionaries of Charity in Aden in 2016. He said: "So far the situation appears calm. The nuns can continue to carry out their great work with the sick and the poor," though the latest development are a reason for concern.

"They obviously felt what happened, but their work continues. We pray that they can continue to carry out their mission in peace."