Iran Affirms Houthis’ Independence Amid Rising U.S. Military Tensions
On Sunday, IRGC commander Hossein Salami asserted that Yemen’s Houthis make strategic decisions independently, responding to U.S. pressure to cease support. Recent U.S.-UK airstrikes resulted in significant casualties among Houthis following their attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, emphasizing the ongoing conflict and the Houthis’ autonomy.
On Sunday, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, expressed that the Houthi group in Yemen independently makes its strategic and operational decisions. Salami’s remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, reiterating that the group operates autonomously within the framework of Yemen’s national interests.
Salami emphasized the notion of Yemen as an independent nation with distinct policies, stating, “Yemen is an independent nation with its own policies. The Yemeni people have their national policy. The Houthis as representatives of the Yemeni people make their own strategic and operational decisions.”
The context for Salami’s comments includes the recent escalation of military action, where U.S.-UK airstrikes hit Houthi targets, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and 101 injuries, as reported by the Houthi-run Health Ministry. These strikes were authorized by Trump as a response to assaults on maritime vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea.
The military actions mark the first U.S. strikes in Yemen following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that had been established in January. The Houthis have been implicated in strikes against Israeli-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting international shipping as part of their solidarity efforts towards Gaza since late 2023.
In summary, Iran’s IRGC commander affirmed the Houthis’ autonomy in decision-making amidst U.S. military actions against them. The recent airstrikes highlight rising tensions in the region, with the Houthis claiming responsibility for attacks on Israeli ships in retaliation. Salami’s statements underscore Yemen’s independence and the Houthis’ role as representatives of the Yemeni populace amidst external pressures.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
Post Comment