Iran urges non-interference in Yemeni affairs

Iran calls on regional states not to interfere in Yemeni affairs, amid reports that Saudi jets are bombing northern parts of the country with chemical weapons.

“We strongly advise regional and neighboring states not to interfere in Yemen’s internal affairs and try to restore peace and stability to the state. Stability in Yemen will contribute to regional stability,” Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Tuesday.

“Instability in Yemen, in Iraq, in Afghanistan or in Pakistan will leave its impact on the whole region… those who choose to fuel the flames of conflict, must know that the fire will reach them,” he added, urging Middle Eastern states to be vigilant.

“Providing extremists and terrorists with money and weapons and conducting oppressive actions and military attacks against civilians will have negative consequences. What we are trying to do is to help restore peace and stability to regional countries.”

Mottaki’s comments came as Houthi fighters accused Saudi fighters of dropping phosphorous bombs in the Shia populated north to back a deadly Yemeni government offensive against them.

The Saudi Arabian air force launched a deadly offensive against Houthis eight days ago, accusing the Muslim resistance fighters of killing two Saudi soldiers on the border.

While Riyadh claims that its offensive targeted Houthi positions on ‘Saudi territory’, the fighters say Yemeni villages were being bombarded.

During the press conference, Mottaki said that Sana’a currently faces three problems, al-Qaeda-sponsored terrorism, separatism, and the tension between the government and the Shia community, which makes up almost half of Yemen’s population.

Mottaki added that Tehran believes these problems can be overcome if the government takes the right measures and shows cooperation with the people.

He said Iran respects the national unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, pointing out that while Tehran opposes extremism, it believes in the need to rebuild trust between the Yemeni government and its people, especially Shias.

The foreign minister noted that Iran had expressed its concern to the Yemeni government about the current situation in the country, and offered to help in any means possible including possible visits on both sides.

Mottaki said Sana’a had accepted an offer by Iranian officials to meet with them in the country, adding that, although the exact date was yet to be determined, the planned visit would definitely go ahead.