Iran Asserts Houthis’ Independent Decision-Making Amidst Rising Tensions

The IRGC commander stated that the Houthis make their strategic decisions independently. This follows recent US airstrikes in Yemen after Houthi attacks on shipping. The situation continues to reflect the regional tensions involving Iran and the US, particularly in relation to Yemen’s autonomy and Houthi actions.

Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), asserted that the Houthi group in Yemen makes its strategic decisions independently. His statements came in response to US President Donald Trump’s appeal for Iran to cease its support to the Houthis. Salami emphasized the Houthis’ autonomy, remarking that “Yemen is an independent nation with its own policies,” and underscoring that the Yemeni people, through the Houthis, determine their own operational strategies.

The remarks follow a surge in military actions, including recent US-UK airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals and injuries to 101 others, targeting Houthi sites in Yemen. These strikes, authorized by President Trump, were part of a broader military response to Houthi assaults on shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

The recent airstrikes represented the first significant action by the US in Yemen since a ceasefire arrangement was established between Israel and Hamas in January. The Houthis have reportedly escalated their attacks on ships associated with Israeli interests since late 2023, claiming these actions are in support of the Gaza Strip and are intended to disrupt international maritime trade.

In summary, the IRGC commander highlighted the Houthis’ capacity for independent decision-making within Yemen’s political framework. The context of the United States’ military actions against Houthi targets illustrates ongoing tensions in the region, exacerbated by recent missile and drone attacks from the Houthis on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea. This scenario reflects the complexities of Gulf politics and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Original Source: www.yenisafak.com