Lead of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, Abdul Malek al-Houthi pleaded once again on Saturday for international recognition of his coup.
In a speech, he urged the international community to follow in Iran’s example and recognize the militias by reopening embassies in Sanaa and activating diplomatic ties with the militias seeing as they are the “legitimate” rulers in Yemen.
He attempted to propose a compromise whereby the Houthis would cease launching Iranian-made drones towards Saudi Arabia in return for the Saudi-led Arab coalition to quit supporting the legitimate government in Yemen.
Moreover, he made light of his brother’s murder earlier this month.
Ibrahim al-Houthi was killed by unknown assailants at his Sanaa residence.
Abdul Malek al-Houthi said his brother did not have guards posted at his home.
Furthermore, he boasted of and justified his recent pledging of allegiance to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
A Houthi delegation, headed by militia foreign minister Mohammed Abdulsalam, is currently in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials. It met with Khamenei to deliver a message from Abdul Malek. It also met with Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif.
Observers said that besides pledging allegiance, the visit is aimed at obtaining more weapons support from Iran by the Houthis and smuggling them in Yemen.
Abdul Malek said Iran was the only country that sympathizes with the Houthis, claiming the delegation was seeking to activate some 70 deals signed with Tehran.
In addition, Houthi sources said the delegation had met in Iran with Britain, France, Germany and Italy’s ambassadors in Tehran.
Discussions focused on Yemeni and regional affairs, claimed the sources. They also stressed support for “the political settlement and comprehensive political solution as the only way to end the war in Yemen.”
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