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Iran’s supreme leader calls Saudi Arabia’s air strikes in Yemen illegal aggression

The religious leader noted that Tehran does not provide military aid to Yemen
Poster of the Iranian supreme leader seen during a military parade in Iran EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Poster of the Iranian supreme leader seen during a military parade in Iran
© EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

TEHRAN, May 6. /TASS/. Saudi Arabia’s air strikes in Yemen represent an act of aggression and are illegal, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.

"Saudi Arabia’s aggression against Yemen is illegal," Press TV channel quoted Khamenei as saying. He added that the US support "crimes committed by the kingdom in Yemen."

The religious leader noted that Tehran does not provide military aid to Yemen. "Yemenis do not need our weapons," he said. "Iran only wants to send humanitarian aid to this country," he added.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation has repeatedly blocked planes of Iran’s Red Crescent Society carrying medicaments and food from entering the airport in Sanaa.

Crisis in Yemen

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis. In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah (Houthi rebels) forced the president and the government to announce resignation. The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces.

Overnight to March 26, Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in the neighboring country and delivered air strikes at several Houthi positions. The coalition was later joined by Bahrein, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan and Sudan.

On April 14, the UN Security Council has adopted resolution 2216 that stipulates arms and military equipment embargo to Houthi rebels. The draft document was proposed by Jordan, US and UK. Fourteen UN Security Council member-countries supported the resolution, including China and Venezuela, while Russia abstained from voting.

At the end of April, the Saudi-led coalition announced the end of a military operation "Storm of Resolve" in Yemen. Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri said "the alliance had achieved its military goals in Yemen through the campaign dubbed ‘Storm of Resolve’ and will now begin a new operation called ‘Restoring Hope’." "The mission will focus on security at home and counter-terrorism, aid and a political solution in Yemen," he added.