Diplomat dismisses claim of Iran interference in Yemen
A senior Iranian diplomat has dismissed claims about the Islamic Republic’s interference in the Yemeni crisis.
Tehran plays a key role in the region and uses its influence to contribute to the establishment of regional peace and security, but it does not meddle in Yemen, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told reporters in the central Iranian city of Qom on Thursday.
“Iran is not interfering in Yemen at all and has no military forces or even military advisers for training affairs in Yemen. And what defensive tactic the Yemenis adopt against the Saudi aggression is a completely internal issue,” he said.
Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran supports Yemen’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as political measures by the Ansarullah fighters of the Houthi movement and their campaign against terrorism.
Some Western countries and media outlets, Saudi Arabia and Yemen's fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have accused Iran of providing military support for the Ansarullah fighters but no evidence of such aid has ever been provided.
The Iranian diplomat condemned Saudi airstrikes against Yemen, saying the military campaign aggravates extremism and terrorism in the region.
He said the Saudi aggression mostly targets defenseless Yemeni people and has no justification.
He also strongly criticized a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Yemen, saying it fell short of condemning the Saudi attacks on the impoverished Arab country.
Yemen has been targeted by Saudi air raids since March 26 in a campaign aimed at restoring power to Hadi.
Saudi Arabia’s military aggression against the impoverished Arab country, which is being carried out without a United Nations mandate, has claimed the lives of almost 2,600 people, including many women and children, so far.
On April14, the UN Security Council passed a resolution, calling on the Houthis, who are part of the Popular Committees advancing in Yemen, to withdraw from areas they have seized, including the capital, Sana’a.
The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid to Yemeni people, but did not condemn the Saudi airstrikes.
AR/NN/HMV
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