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Iran backs united Yemen, its territorial integrity as UAE-aligned separatists declare self-rule

Southern Yemeni separatist members patrol a street in Aden. (Via Reuters)

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi says Tehran backs a united Yemen, warning against insurgency attempts there, after separatist groups allied with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declared self-rule in the south of the war-torn country. 

Mousavi said Wednesday that the only solution to the establishment of stability in the Arab country was unity among Yemeni groups and comprehensive intra-Yemeni talks.

“Based on its principled policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the united Yemen whose territorial integrity is protected,” he added.

He pointed to recent declaration of self-rule in Yemen's south and warned, “Such actions will not only fail to help solve the current problems in Yemen, but will complicate the situation in the country.”

Stressing the need to stop the war against Yemen and end the brutal siege against the country, the spokesman said the only way “to help stabilize Yemen is [to foster] unity among the Yemeni groups and hold comprehensive political talks between the various groups to form a united and inclusive government."

The remarks came after the so-called Southern Transitional Council (STC)last week declared a state of emergency and announced “self-administration rule” in Yemen’s southern regions, including the port city of Aden — which has served as the seat of Yemen’s former Riyadh-allied government during the Saudi-led war.

 

The declaration has raised concerns about escalation of tensions in the impoverished country.

UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths said in a statement that he was worried by the developments, adding, “Now, more than ever, all political actors must cooperate in good faith, refrain from taking escalatory actions, and put the interests of Yemenis first.”

Even the Saudi-led military alliance urged the STC to rescind its self-rule declaration, saying it was an “escalatory action” at a time all parties should focus on confronting the coronavirus.

Yemen has been under a Saudi-led war that has killed thousands of lives since Riyadh and its allies intervened in March 2015 to bring back to power former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement.

The war against Yemen has caused the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.

Some 24 million people in Yemen — about 80% of the population — are reliant on humanitarian aid and millions are on the brink of starvation.


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