Iran's Khamenei pledges continued support to Yemen - Saudi-led coalition continues its attempts to destroy the country

RFE/RL
Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:58 UTC

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) meets with Huthi movement spokesman, Mohammad Abdul Salam, in Tehran on August 13.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promised to continue supporting Yemen's Huthis against a Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting to restore Yemen's overthrown government in a four-year war.

Speaking on state TV, Khamenei also urged for dialogue among Yemenis to quell the fighting that has killed tens of thousands, and which has brought the country to the brink of famine.

Khamenei accused Saudi Arabia of plotting to "divide Yemen," while saying a "unified and coherent Yemen with sovereign integrity should be endorsed."

Huthi fighters patrol in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. (file photo)

The Iranian-aligned Huthis control Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and most of the impoverished country's populous areas.

​Arch foe Saudi Arabia and coalition partner the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) have battled the Huthis since 2015 on behalf of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government.

In June, the U.A.E. mostly drew down its ground forces.

The conflict is mostly seen as a proxy war between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran.

Comment: It's notable that while the Saudi's, backed by the West and Israel, continue their devastating war on Yemen, the UAE is set to withdraw deeming it "Unwinnable".

See also: Magnier: War no longer an option for Israel after failures in Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen