Tehran (AFP)
Iran reaffirmed on Wednesday at the highest level its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, on the occasion of the reception of one of their leaders by the Supreme Leader, at a time when the anti-Houthis military coalition led by Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is facing dissension.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel Salam at his residence on Tuesday night and reiterated his country's support for rebels who have controlled the Yemeni capital Sana'a and other parts of the country for several years. .
"I declare my support for the mujahidah (struggle) for Yemen," he said, in an apparent reference to the rebels, according to a statement posted on his website.
At the same time, he denounced the "crimes" of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia, which militarily intervened since 2015 against the Houthis, in support of the Yemeni government.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates - a pillar of this coalition - "and their supporters have committed major crimes in Yemen," said the Guide, denouncing "the indifference of the Western world" vis- against these "crimes".
Ryad and Abu Dhabi "seek to divide Yemen," he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei called for talks to end the conflict.
"Given Yemen's religious and ethnic diversity, protecting the integrity of Yemen requires an internal dialogue," he said.
The war that has raged for more than five years between Houthis and the anti-rabble camp has left tens of thousands dead, and the country is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world according to the UN.
These battles have doubled in recent days of bloody clashes between forces of the anti-Houthi coalition in the south.
They opposed Aden, the big city in the south, units loyal to Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, supported by Ryad, the force called "Cordon security", formed by Abu Dhabi and linked to a separatist movement south.
Ryad and Abu Dhabi have tried in recent days to overcome these divisions inside their camp.
In the context of the Yemeni conflict, Saudi Arabia regularly accuses Iran of arming the Houthis. Tehran denies, assuring that its support is purely political.
© 2019 AFP