Afrah al-Zouba

Afrah al-Zouba made history on July 23, 2026, when she was appointed as Yemen's first female foreign minister. Her appointment comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Recently, in her capacity as Yemen's top diplomat, al-Zouba issued a stark warning from Riyadh. She stated that the Houthi movement intends to emulate Iran's strategy of controlling shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz by asserting control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. Al-Zouba expressed concern that global complacency has emboldened the Houthis, suggesting their actions could significantly disrupt international maritime trade by potentially shutting down two major shipping routes. Her current role and public statements highlight the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and the international community's attention to the conflict's impact on global security.