Foreign minister underlines UAE commitment to Yemen in face of coalition critics
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, on Thursday hit back at critics of the Arab coalition’s role in Yemen.
“We find [it] odd these days, with the great military progress and international political pressure and the weakening of the enemy, those who say that the UAE has greedy ambitions in Yemen,” he tweeted.
“The pure blood of our martyrs that the UAE has offered as part of the Arab coalition in the war for freedom and stability is proof of our commitment to Yemen and its people and to regional stability.
“These are sacrifices that have contributed to defeating the Houthis and preventing them from being victorious.”
Dr Gargash said there were entities who sought to undermine the efforts of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels at the request of Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi’s internationally-recognised government.
“We must all be vigilant of those who seek to undermine efforts and who want to maintain their own personal and militia interests,” he said.
“The days of the Houthi rebellion are numbered and this is our ultimate goal, and Yemen with all its soil will remain for its people and free.” He also said there was no doubt that the people of Yemen would be the ones to establish their state and their future.
“The UAE will work with its brothers and within the Arab coalition under the leadership of Saudi Arabia to bring back the [Yemen] state,” Dr Gargash said.
“We received a wounded Yemen, and the coalition will give its people a recovered, strong, and stable [Yemen]. The people will decide the shape and future of their country.”
On Wednesday, the Yemeni army – backed by UAE forces – was preparing a final push to recapture Hodeidah province, home to the country’s largest port city.
The military launched a renewed push at the start of this year to combat the Houthi presence in territories along the Red Sea coast of Yemen.
The days of the Houthi rebellion are numbered and this is our ultimate goal
DR ANWAR GARGASH UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs