Yemeni Minister Accuses Iran of Nurturing Sectarianism

Yemeni Minister of Information Muamer al-Iryani has slammed Iran-backed Houthi militias for indoctrinating students in their ideology.

Such measures present a threat to the country’s social fabric, said al-Iryani during talks with the head of the German parliament’s human rights committee in Berlin.

The minister told Gyde Jensen that Yemen’s humanitarian situation has become very difficult since the Houthis carried out their coup in 2015.

“Poverty has risen to unprecedented levels,” he said.

The Houthis have rejected the payment of salaries to employees and have looted public funds in areas that fall under their control, Iryani added.

He discussed with members of the committee the violations committed by insurgents against all members of Yemeni society.

Iryani singled out journalists and activists, saying they have been subjected to all sorts of rights violations, including murder, torture and illegal trials.

He said around 10 journalists are subject to illegal trials by the criminal court on terrorism charges.

The minister also discussed with the committee members the recruitment of children to fight alongside the militias, which have turned schools into centers to lure child soldiers.

The Yemeni government has received information that Houthis are planning to recruit around 50,000 children, he said, warning that such attempts are putting the future of youth at risk.

On the Stockholm Agreement struck between the Yemeni legitimacy and the militias in December, Iryani said that the country’s political leadership has made several concessions in its efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace.

But the militias, which have rejected all prior agreements aimed at settling the Yemeni crisis, have been shying away from implementing the new deal, he added.

As for Jensen, she expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen.

According to Saba news agency, she stressed Germany’s continued support for Yemen’s peace process.

The lawmaker also said that she will inform parliament members about Iryani’s briefing on the violations committed by the Houthis against the Yemeni people.