Iran’s IRGC commander Hossein Salami stated that Yemen’s Houthis operate independently, making strategic decisions for the Yemeni people. This statement followed US President Trump’s call for Iran to stop supporting the Houthis. In related events, US and UK airstrikes killed 31 and injured over 100 Houthis in retaliation for their attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea.
On Sunday, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, asserted that the Houthi group in Yemen operates independently in making their strategic decisions. His remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump’s demands for Iran to cease its support for the Houthis. Salami emphasized the autonomy of Yemen, stating, “Yemen is an independent nation with its own policies,” and that the Houthis represent the Yemeni people, making their own strategic and operational choices.
On the same day, airstrikes conducted by the United States and the United Kingdom targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and 101 injuries, as reported by the Houthi-run Health Ministry. These military actions were ordered by President Trump, who called for a “decisive and powerful” strike against Houthi forces, following their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
This military response marks the first US operations in Yemen since the establishment of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in January. The Houthis, since late 2023, have targeted vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea using missiles and drones, claiming these actions are in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and disrupting global trade.
The statements from Iranian officials underline the autonomy of the Houthis in Yemen, emphasizing that they are not merely puppets of Iranian influence. The recent military strikes by the US and UK highlight ongoing tensions regarding Houthi activities in the Red Sea, reflecting international concerns over regional stability and maritime security. These developments continue to shape the complex landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics, with significant implications for global trade routes.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
