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Yemeni Minister: Iraq Received Houthi Rebels Delegation on Sectarian Basis | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Bystanders and soldiers inspect the damage left at the site of a suicide car bombing claimed by ISIS in Aden. AFP


Riyadh,Aden- Yemen’s legitimate government denounced steps taken by Iraq to welcome Houthi rebels, noting that such measures were made on sectarian basis.

In remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Tuesday, Yemeni Minister for Human Rights Ezzeddine Al-Asbahi, denied media reports claiming that Iraqi authorities have recognized the political council formed by Houthi rebels and ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Commenting on the meeting between Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Al-Jaafari and Yemeni Deputy Yahya Badreddine al-Houthi on Monday, Asbahi said that the Iraqi ministry was keen to stress on its official website that it has welcomed Houthi as member of Yemen’s parliament and did not mention any support to the political council.

“This is a form of the rebels’ media disinformation,” the Yemeni minister said.

Asbahi added that the Yemeni delegation to Baghdad only represents the Houthi movement and was welcomed on sectarian basis.

He said he believe that the visit was made on a personal level following pressure and intimidation.

Meanwhile, a suicide car bombing claimed by ISIS in Yemen’s southern city of Aden on Monday killed at least 54 pro-government forces. The U.S. State Department strongly condemned the attack and called for an urgent and comprehensive solution to Yemen’s crisis.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing: “The attack underscores the urgency of a full and comprehensive settlement that will shrink the political and security vacuum that has been created by the civil war in Yemen.”

“In the absence of a political solution, we remain concerned Daesh (ISIS)and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula will continue to take advantage of the instability and innocent people will, regrettably, continue to suffer,” he added.