Yemen's president hits out at Iran in UN speech
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Yemen's president hits out at Iran in UN speech, 23 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189df513.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 23, 2016
Forces loyal to Yemeni President Abu-Rabbu Mansur Hadi display their arms as they take part in an operation to drive Al-Qaeda fighters out of the capital of southern Abyan Province earlier this year.
Yemeni President Abu-Rabbu Mansur Hadi has accused Iran of blocking peace by supporting Huthi rebels in the deadly conflict in Yemen.
Hadi told the UN General Assembly on September 23 that "we shall extract Yemen from the claws of Iran – we shall raise the Yemeni flag over every foot of our precious soil."
He added that "Iran impedes all measures that we are taking by a multitude of actions and interventions."
Yemen is stuck in a deadly civil war pitting Iran-backed Huthi fighters against Hadi's government troops, which are mainly aided by Saudi forces. Islamic militants linked to Al-Qaeda are also fighting both sides.
More than 6,000 people – many of them civilians – have died since Hadi's forces began their military campaign to retake the country from the Huthi rebels, who forced the government to flee the capital.
Peace talks have been hampered by disagreements over plans to create a national unity government and withdraw the Huthis – and their heavy weapons – from the capital, Sanaa, in early 2015.
The latest round of UN-led talks over the crisis in Yemen ended last month without any progress and a fragile cease-fire established in April was broken.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
