Yemen Urges Moral, Political Stances against ‘Racist’ Houthi Actions

Arab World

July 1st, 8:31am

Berlin - Riyadh - Raghida Bahnam and Abdulhadi Habtor

The Yemeni and German foreign ministers speaking during a press conference in Berlin (AP)

Yemen’s Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak is calling on the international community to adopt a new approach to the situation in the war-torn nation, urging more pressure to curb the “disgraceful” practices of Houthi militias and a deeper focus on politics and morals. After meeting with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin, Mubarak clarified that Houthis are behind obstacles laid in the way of peacemaking efforts in Yemen. The Iran-backed group continues to fail international and regional proposals for peace in Yemen. It rejects peace initiatives and exacerbates the Yemeni humanitarian crisis through laying siege to cities, violating the Hodeidah ceasefire, and persisting with its offensive on Marib governorate, where over a million Yemenis have sought refuge from violence. More so, Houthi militias continue attempted attacks on civilian targets in the neighboring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and actively threaten international navigation in Red Sea waters. Mubarak said that Yemen would demand moral and political stances against the Houthis’ egregious behaviors and totalitarian and racist actions. “Iran’s destabilizing role in the region, including Yemen, has become known to many members of the international community,” Mubarak told Asharq Al-Awsat. “Concerning Germany, we found a German understanding of the Iranian influence in the region and Yemen, and an awareness of the importance of addressing this matter in a manner that ensures defusing tensions and restoring security and stability to the region,” he added. For his part, the German FM acknowledged that Houthis were obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid and that his country was watching the group’s attack on Marib with concern. According to Maas, the continued Houthi military offensive on Marib undermines diplomatic efforts led by the UN. As for Tehran’s influence on the Houthi militias, Maas indicated that ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna between Iran and world powers could eventually lead to a discussion on Yemen. Responding to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat, the top German diplomat said that the “success of talks in the Austrian capital could set the conditions needed to talk about Iran’s role in the region and its influence on Houthis.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3056816/yemen-urges-moral-political-stances-against-%E2%80%98racist%E2%80%99-houthi-actions