Iran’s IRGC commander stated that the Houthis in Yemen make their own strategic decisions independently. This comes amidst recent U.S.-U.K. airstrikes that resulted in significant casualties after threats to shipping by Houthi forces, marking a critical point in Middle Eastern tensions.
The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, asserted that the Houthi group in Yemen operates independently when it comes to making strategic decisions. His remarks were made in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, emphasizing Yemen’s status as an independent nation with its own policies. Salami stated, “Yemen is an independent nation with its own policies. The Yemeni people have their national policy. The Houthis as representatives of the Yemeni people make their own strategic and operational decisions.”
Recently, a series of airstrikes by U.S. and U.K. forces targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and 101 injuries, as reported by the Houthi-run Health Ministry. These strikes were initiated following Trump’s directive for a “decisive and powerful” military response to Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. This incident marks the first U.S. military action in Yemen since the January ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The Houthi forces have engaged in assaults against ships associated with Israel in the Red Sea since late 2023, disrupting international trade. They have characterized these actions as a show of support for the Gaza Strip amidst ongoing regional tensions.
In summary, the IRGC’s Hossein Salami asserts the autonomy of the Houthis in Yemen regarding their strategic decisions, amidst heightened military actions by the U.S. and U.K. against Houthi targets in response to threats against maritime security. This situation not only highlights regional conflicts but also the Houthis’ ongoing role in influencing trade and geopolitical stability in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
