Yemeni president says Iran wants to destroy his country
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Yemeni president says Iran wants to destroy his country, 30 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d04da15.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 30, 2015
Yemen's president accused Iran of trying to destroy his country as Tehran-backed rebels there battle government forces.
"We find ourselves mixed in this battle ... to ensure that the country not fall into the hands of Iran, which would like to see the destruction of the country," President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi told the United Nations General Assembly September 29.
Hadi returned to his country only last week from exile in Saudi Arabia – a year after Huthis seized much of the country.
He regained power only with help of a Saudi-backed coalition of Arab states that has been bombarding the Huthis and blockading ports to prevent the Shi'ite Muslim rebels from importing arms from Iran.
Hadi blamed the Huthis for the country's humanitarian crisis, saying it could qualify as "genocide." The UN estimates more than 80 percent of the population is hungry and needs medical care.
Independent monitors have blamed the blockades and air strikes for causing the most death and destruction, however. This week, a strike on a wedding party killed 131 people.
A Tehran official said "Iran has never interfered in any country's state matters and will never do it."
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
