Yemeni Army Chief Lauds Saudi Role in Arab Coalition
The Yemeni Chief of Staff Abdullah Al-Nakhai praised
the role played by Saudi Arabia in supporting his country’s unity, security and
stability. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition has helped place Yemeni state
institutions in the hands of the internationally-recognized government of
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi after Iran-backed Houthi militias staged a nationwide
coup.
Nakhai's remarks came during his meeting in the
interim capital of Aden with the commander of the Saudi forces operating in
Arab Coalition forces. The two officials discussed a number of security and
military topics and means to reinforce battlefronts to finish off the
liberation of areas still under coup militia control.
The Yemeni army chief confirmed that peace in his country
will be achieved only by restoring the state to full power, disarming the
militia, and countering Tehran ideology and support.
“Yemenis and support from Arab Coalition countries
will stand to frustrate this project,” Nakhai said in an oblique hint on Yemeni
Houthis actively working to disseminate Iranian sectarian ideology and
advancing the cleric-led country’s agenda.
Nakhai stressed that work for the liberation of
remaining provinces is still ongoing, with the eastern Taiz province being
fully freed from militia hold.
As for the UN-brokered Hodeidah ceasefire deal,
Deputy Yemeni Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hadrami said that the manipulation
and delay in implementation by Iranian-backed Houthis threatens to thwart the
agreement signed in Sweden. Not only does Houthi intransigence threaten to undo
the deal, but also impedes the overall political process, Hadrami added.
Speaking during a meeting with UAE Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash on the sidelines of the 55th session of the
Munich Security Conference 2019, Hadrami warned that Houthi evasiveness hinders
opportunities for peace in Yemen.
