UAE's Gargash slams critics of Arab coalition's role in Yemen

Dr Gargash said that there are entities that seek to undermine the efforts of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, speaks at an event at Chatham House in London, Britain July 17, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall
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UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash slammed on Thursday critics of the Arab coalition’s role in Yemen.

“We find 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.”

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Yemeni forces prepare to recapture Hodeidah

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Dr Gargash said that there are entities that seek to undermine the efforts of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen 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 that there is no doubt that the people of Yemen will 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,” said Dr Gargash.

“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.

Around 60 fighters of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia were killed over the last two days in air strikes launched by the fighter jets of the Arab Collation and clashes with the Yemeni National Resistance Forces, Brigades Al Amalaqah and Tihama Forces in Yemen's Red Sea Coast, according to Yemeni military sources.

The coalition's fighter jets targeted militia bases in Al Hali, Ad Durayhimi and Jebel Ras governorates. The Yemeni National Resistance Forces, the Al Amalaqah Brigades and Tihama Forces, confronted the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in the north of Hays Governorate and on the way to the At Tuhayat Governorate.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni National Resistance Forces are advancing towards the western gate of Al Barh area while the members of the Houthi militias are fleeing to the mountainous areas of Taiz Governorate. Combing operations are undergoing against the militias' hideouts in the Al Barh triangle.

The military launched a renewed push at the beginning of this year to combat the Houthi presence in territories along the Red Sea coast of Yemen.