Yemen to stand by Gaza until cessation of aggression, Abdul-Salam says
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The head of the Yemeni negotiating delegation underlines that Yemen will remain by the side of the Palestinian Resistance regardless of the temptations it is offered and until the aggression comes to an end.
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Military academy cadets march during an anti-Israel and anti-US protest in Sanaa, Yemen, June 14, 2024. (AP)
The Yemeni people have unequivocal support for Gaza, as it is rooted in their religious and moral convictions, the head of the Yemeni nation negotiating delegation, Mohammad Abdul-Salam said on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Abdul-Salam, speaking of Yemen's most recent operations in support of the people of Gaza, said, "The Yemeni operation achieved significant goals by diverting the attention of the Western powers, especially the Americans and the British."
"The operation proved that there is a Resistance Axis that not only speaks but also acts on its words. It is a genuine axis that rises to the occasion and takes action when necessary," he further added.
Abdul-Salam highlighted the operation's crucial accomplishment of eradicating harmful sectarianism, which Israel and the United States have tried to frame as an Arab-Persian conflict for decades, with the help of some compliant and normalizing countries.
"The Yemeni stance embodied the true meaning of selflessness in our difficult situation, prioritizing the Palestinian cause over our own issues," he stressed.
Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Abdul-Salam remarked, "The Yemeni people and leadership understand that this significant stance requires unwaveringness, regardless of the pain," underscoring that "Yemen serves as an argument against other regimes that possess the means to impose sieges, economic sanctions, and many other measures, but have not acted."
Aggression against Yemen to falter
Regarding the US and British military aggression on Yemen, Abdul-Salam clarified to Al Mayadeen, "They came to protect Israel, not to stabilize Yemen, due to Yemen's clear and impactful position" on the genocide in Gaza.
"The targets hit by the aggression in some areas had been struck dozens of times in previous assaults," he said. "These forces will fail as they did in Gaza, which spans only a few square kilometers."
Abdul-Salam assured Al Mayadeen of a significant popular rally similar to that seen during the aggression on Yemen, which led to a state of mobilization. "Yemen has wise leadership and a great people known throughout history for confronting aggressors, whoever they may be," he said.
He pointed out that Yemen's capabilities had become evident, with impactful operations demonstrating substantial technical and qualitative advancements in military capabilities despite the siege and Western bombardment. "Western generals speak of the terror they experienced while on the high seas," he noted.
"Yemen has achieved today what was once deemed impossible, benefiting from the experiences of some axis countries in manufacturing and training," Abdul-Salam concluded. He highlighted that drone manufacturing in Yemen has become "very advanced," along with ballistic missiles and other technical, logistical, and intelligence capabilities.
Operations not to cease
Abdul-Salam went on to declare that Yemen would not cease its operations until the aggression against Gaza ended, detailing the extensive pressures Yemen has faced due to its stance on the Palestinian issue, describing them as "significant and numerous."
He disclosed that Yemen received messages from the United States through intermediaries indicating that the US did not want to expand the conflict and preferred no Yemeni support for Gaza. In response, the leader of the Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, said, "Those concerned about not expanding the conflict should stop the Zionist impertinence."
He also mentioned that there were offers to allow Yemeni-Saudi understandings to continue in exchange for Yemen halting its support for Gaza. However, Yemen firmly rejected any such linkage or pressure, refusing to let its stance be compromised by any other issue.
Abdul-Salam addressed the threats Yemen received, including economic restrictions and the potential closure of banks in Aden, which came months before the military operations failed. He told Al Mayadeen, "We have confirmed and continue to confirm that we cannot stop our stance unless the aggression on Gaza stops. We are ready to cease our special operations if the criminal aggression against the Palestinian people ceases."
He emphasized that "whatever our brothers in Palestine and the leaders of the Resistance decide regarding any agreement, truce, or suspension of military operations, Yemen will adhere to it."
"The Yemeni position is one of support for Gaza and a reaction to Israeli aggression, whose brutality has exceeded all ethical and humanitarian laws," he stressed.
Axis of Resistance more impactful than ever
The Yemeni top official dismissed allegations that Sanaa was receiving payments for allowing ships to pass through its waters, calling such claims "ridiculous and baseless [...] If this were true, Israeli ports would not be paralyzed."
Abdul-Salam further told Al Mayadeen, "This propaganda collapses in the face of military operations and the American fleets, and the reality that everyone can see."
"Cooperation between the support fronts aims to increase pressure on the occupation, and joint operations are not out of the question," he said. "The Resistance Axis has reached its most advanced and cohesive stage, becoming a strong and influential force."
Agreements with Saudi still intact
Regarding Yemen's agreement with Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Salam clarified to Al Mayadeen that this agreement "was ready before the Al-Aqsa Flood," but "Israeli aggression and subsequent American and Western actions disrupted its progress."
He added that "the agreement has not been canceled," and that "the Saudi side remains committed to the roadmap, but it is currently stagnant," whereas Yemen "does not want stagnation or regression." He noted that Yemen is still in contact with Saudi Arabia through Omani intermediaries.
Abdul-Salam advised Saudi Arabia, via Al Mayadeen, not to replace the United States and "Israel" in launching a new aggression against Yemen. He explained, "The Americans and British wish to drag Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and their allies into a conflict to distract Yemen," hoping "Saudi Arabia will not slip back into implementing economic measures or punishment against the Yemeni people in service of Israel."
He added that Yemen "does not want stagnation or regression, especially now that there is practical and actual regression even from the truce and de-escalation, which we do not want to reach." He pointed out, "The Saudi regime appointed a replacement for Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi without any Yemeni election or reference."
In this context, Abdul-Salam highlighted that "these measures have disrupted part of the flights at Sanaa Airport," addressing the Saudis by saying, "If you are committed to the roadmap, truce, and de-escalation, we should at least continue" in the talks.
