With Iran’s support, the Houthis exploit the Yemeni unity issue to obstruct peace efforts
While Yemeni southern forces, led by the Southern Transitional Council, insist on restoring the independent Southern state, the Houthi group, the main party in the Yemeni conflict, has started to raise the issue of preserving a unified Yemen as one of the main foundations of the settlement process being worked on.
This sharp disagreement about the shape of the Yemeni state in the post-war phase, which is being focused on ending it through a political settlement, is now one of the most prominent obstacles that could undermine the peaceful process that has taken a few steps forward.
Ali Al-Qahoom, a member of the Houthi political bureau, stated that his group is working to “preserve Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, achieve national reconciliation, and fair peace,” which is supported by Iran.
Al-Qahoom said that the Houthi vision is based on “dealing with the approach of a unified Yemeni state, the sovereignty of the Yemeni system and law, preserving the unity and geography of Yemen and its resources, moving forward towards the desired future characterized by internal harmony and consensus, establishing dialogue, resolving problems through dialogue, and resolving all internal and external issues, allaying fears, and providing assurances at the local, regional, and international levels.”
He emphasized in an interview with the Russian news agency Sputnik that “radical changes establish a united state for all Yemenis, represent all Yemenis, are acceptable at the internal, external, and international levels, apply the law and constitution of the Yemeni Republic, establish internal and external sustainable peace, and end all internal and external problems and fears.”
Kamal Kharrazi, the head of the Iranian Strategic Council for Foreign Relations, emphasized the importance of preserving Yemen‘s unity and the safety of its territory. He said during a meeting in Tehran with Houthi Political Bureau member Abdullah Hashem al-Siyani, that his country is ready to share its political experience with Ansar Allah, the Houthis, in the coming stages.
Yemeni sources confirm that Iran is closely monitoring the developments in the Yemeni file, especially the Houthis‘ talks with Saudi Arabia, and it continues to provide them with guidance on what they should do and the limits of what they can accept during the negotiations, according to Al-Arab newspaper.
The Houthi discourse on preserving unity fundamentally contradicts the demands of the most prominent southern political forces, which have recently emphasized that they do not accept any scenario that might result from the peaceful settlement efforts for the Yemeni issue, which does not include the return of the Southern state.
Leaders of the Southern Transitional Council demand a fundamental role in the settlement process since the council is at the forefront of the forces that confronted the Houthis and resisted their attempts to occupy southern regions. Additionally, it possesses effective political influence and on-ground control in the region.
Yemen has witnessed a ceasefire for months in a war that began nearly nine years ago between forces loyal to the legitimate government, supported by an Arab military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi forces backed by Iran, who have controlled provinces and cities, including the capital, Sanaa, in the north since September 21, 2014.
