Yemen's president accuses Iran's Guard of directing Houthi war

Yemen's president Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi warned on Wednesday that Iran's Revolutionary Guard networks are directly managing the Houthis' war, the news agency of Yemen's internationally recognised government Saba (Government) reported.

Al-Alimi made the remarks during a meeting with Clemens Hach, the director for the Middle East and North Africa at Germany's Foreign Ministry, and said Tehran is stepping up backing for the Houthis as its other regional allies lose influence.

He said Iran is using Yemen's location near major international trade routes to its advantage, and he listed military operations, missile development and drone capabilities among the areas where he said Revolutionary Guard networks are involved.

The president said continued transfers of weapons, technology and military expertise to the Houthis would deepen regional instability, prolong the suffering of Yemenis and endanger international maritime security.

Al-Alimi thanked Germany for its support of Yemen's internationally recognised government and asked Berlin to press within the European Union for the Houthis to be designated a terrorist organization, along with measures against their networks.

He also raised the escalation of Houthi attacks across Yemen, including the siege and shelling of civilian areas in Taiz, and alleged abuses such as killings, abductions, enforced disappearances and the detention of UN personnel.

The president said Operation Fajr Al-Yemen will continue until its goals of restoring state institutions and extending government authority across the country are met, with support from the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including the capital, Sanaa, have been at war with the internationally recognised government since 2014 and have attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea since late 2023.