Somalia, Yemen Hold Red Sea Security Talks in Doha

GOOBJOOG NEWS | DOHA: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Dr Afrah Al-Zouba have held talks in Doha, Qatar aimed at strengthening security cooperation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, waterways critical to Somalia’s security and economic interests.

The two officials discussed closer coordination between countries bordering the strategic waterways to protect shipping and tackle threats including terrorism, smuggling, piracy and other cross-border crime, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said.

The talks are particularly important for Somalia, whose long coastline stretches along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The country’s security and economic ambitions are closely tied to the stability of surrounding waters as it seeks to expand trade, develop ports and fisheries and strengthen its wider blue economy.

Both Somalia and Yemen have an interest in preventing instability from spreading across the narrow maritime corridor that links the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea. For Somalia, stronger regional coordination could also support efforts to combat piracy and other maritime threats that have affected shipping off its coast.

Yemen’s ministry said the two sides also discussed expanding wider political, economic and development cooperation, while agreeing to maintain communication and coordination between their foreign ministries. It added that the stability of both countries was fundamental to security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

The meeting comes as Prime Minister Barre continues an official visit to Qatar, where his discussions have also focused on regional security and threats to the smooth flow of global trade.