Abu Dhabi: The Al Houthi targeting of UAE civilian ship ‘Swift’ is part of systemic aggression and premeditated escalation aimed at undermining any political solution to the Yemeni crisis, Dr. Anwar Bin Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

In comments on his Twitter page, Dr. Gargash said the escalation approach adopted by the Al Houthis is an attempt to avoid the political track.

“We will see more attempts by the [Al} Houthis to wreck opportunities for political solution. In the rebellion’s logic, the nation’s interest comes second to the group’s interest,” he added.

He added: “The [Al] Houthis do not want to announce in public their rejection of the international will, and instead, they resort to escalation.”