Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, claimed that the Houthis in Yemen make independent strategic decisions. His comments followed US President Trump’s call for Iran to stop supporting them. Recent US-UK airstrikes on Houthi targets led to significant casualties, marking the first strikes since a ceasefire in January.

On Sunday, Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), asserted that the Houthi group in Yemen operates autonomously, making its own strategic and operational decisions. His remarks followed a call from US President Donald Trump urging Iran to cease support for the Houthis in Yemen. Salami emphasized that “Yemen is an independent nation with its own policies” and that the Houthis are representatives of the Yemeni people, thus they determine their own course of action.

The context of Salami’s remarks comes amidst escalating tensions, as the Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that at least 31 individuals were killed and 101 injured due to recent US-UK airstrikes targeting Houthi installations in Yemen. These airstrikes were executed under Trump’s directive for a “decisive and powerful” military response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

These strikes represent the first US military actions in Yemen since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas became effective in January. The Houthis have allegedly utilized missiles and drones to target Israeli-linked vessels, aiming to impact global trade since late 2023, which they justified as an act of solidarity with Gaza.

In summary, the statements from IRGC commander Hossein Salami reflect Iran’s support for the autonomy of the Houthis in Yemen amidst heightened conflict, particularly following US military actions. The situation underscores the ongoing complexities of regional politics, where the Houthis claim autonomy while engaging in military actions affecting international maritime operations.

Original Source: www.yenisafak.com