Gargash: Terror Designation of Houthis Backs Political Approach to Resolving Yemen Crisis

Gulf

January 23rd, 6:28am

Abu Dhabi - Asharq Al-Awsat

Dr Anwar Gargash receives Tim Lenderking in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. (WAM)

Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, held talks on Saturday with Tim Lenderking, the United States' envoy to Yemen. Lenderking conveyed Washington's solidarity with the UAE in wake of Monday's terrorist attack against Abu Dhabi by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen. Gargash stressed during the meeting the need for the international community to take a firm stance against these hostile and terrorist acts that threaten international security and peace. He deemed the Houthi attack as a "flagrant violation", vowing that the UAE "will not hesitate in defending its national sovereignty and security". "It has the legal and moral right to retaliate to and prevent any hostile attack on its territories," he added. Gargash noted that the UN Security Council has condemned the Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi, saying it was a serious international position against the militias and their violations against regional security and the Yemeni people. He underscored the need to exert international pressure so that a ceasefire and political solution can be reached in Yemen. Furthermore, he remarked that the re-designation of the Houthis as terrorist would back political efforts to resolve the crisis. In Yemen, he accused the Houthis of transforming Hodeidah port into a military facility to fund their war effort and smuggle rockets and armed drones into Yemen in order to threaten the security of the region. He urged the need for international action to bring an end to such terrorist activities.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3430661/gargash-terror-designation-houthis-backs-political-approach-resolving-yemen