Political Commentator: Saudi Arabia Plans Partitioning of Southern Yemen
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A Yemeni political activist said that Saudi Arabia has stepped up its unequivocal support to al-Qaeda terrorists and pro-Hadi militias operating in southern Yemen in order to break up the strategic seaport city for its own interests.
“The Saudi regime is attempting to partition Yemen’s Aden as the southern city has a very strategic port. The United Arab Emirate (UAE) is seeking to break up Aden as well in a bid to exploit the resources of the key area,” Ismail Muttahar al-Shami made the remarks on the sidelines of the 8th General Assembly of Islamic Radios and TVs Union (IRTVU) in Tehran in an exclusive interview with the Tasnim News Agency on Sunday.
He added that the Ansarullah resistance group is a popular movement which is fighting against the al-Qaeda, a terrorist group which is enjoying the full support of the Saudi regime.
"Also, militias loyal to fugitive Yemeni president Mansour Hadi are closely aligned with the al-Qaeda militants. Al-Qaeda terrorists and pro-Hadi militants are being supported by Saudi Arabia as well as the US."
Asked about the main reason behind Saudi war on Yemen, Muttahar al-Shami replied, “Saudi Arabia decided to attack Yemen when it (Yemen) moved to become an independent country. The Saudi regime has waged war against the Arab country as it has always sought to force Yemen to follow its polices.”
Elsewhere in the interview, the Yemeni journalist and activist touched upon the issue of the humanitarian situation in the Arab country, and said, “(it) is getting worse. Yemeni people are suffering from a severe shortage of medicine and medical supplies. Large groups of people have been left abandoned. Hospitals in Yemen are in a desperate situation, scores of people are dying due to lack of oxygen and blood. Hospitals have intermittent electricity and cannot resume their services to people.”
Al-Shami further lambasted the silence of the international community over the massacre of innocent people by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and said, “I really do not know why the international community has remained silent over the Saudi aggression against Yemen. I only know that all international organizations and the UN follow the US policies in regard to Yemen. They (Saudi Arabia, US) are all benefiting from this war. They are furious because main Yemenis’ slogan is “God is great, Death to America, Death to Israel and Islam will become triumphant”.”
The Sana’a-based political analyst called on various media outlets to support the Yemeni people by extensive coverage of the Arab country’s developments.
“Organizing international seminars and conferences about the Saudi war on Yemen can also play a leading role in ending the crisis in the impoverished country," he went on to add.
The 8th General Assembly of Islamic Radios and TVs Union (IRTVU) was opened this morning in a special ceremony held at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) International Conference Hall in Tehran.
Various national and international officials including former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, IRIB Chief Mohammad Sarafraz, and International Adviser to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Akbar Velayati were attending the ceremony.
The summit is attended by 220 TV and radio channels from 35 countries of the world.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, a Media Technology Exhibition was also opened by Velayati and Karimian, the conference secretary.
The motto “The Prophet of Mercy; The Mission of Resistance Media” is chosen for the 8th General Assembly.
