Prince Khalid: Iran brazenly exploiting Yemen for its own interests

RIYADH — Prince Khalid Bin Salman, deputy minister of defense, called Iran’s talk about a partial ceasefire in Yemen “a cheap trade” and an exploitation of the country and its people. Prince Khalid said in a series of tweets on Friday that the Iranian regime is “brazenly trying to exploit Yemen for its own interests.” “On the one hand, it (the Iranian regime) blames the Yemenis to evade responsibility for its terrorist acts. On the other, it undermines Yemenis by speaking on their behalf, saying that it is seeking peace in Yemen in a campaign of disinformation and lies,” Prince Khalid tweeted. “Iran’s foreign minister is trying to defend the Iranian regime by blaming the attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais on the Yemenis in a cowardly manner, without regard to the security, safety, and stability of Yemen,” he added, commenting on the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s interview with CNN. “It is time for the Yemenis — all Yemenis — and we will be with them, to unite against the Iranian project of chaos, strife, and destruction, and to prioritize Yemen’s interest and security and its people’s safety, stability, and prosperity over any other interests,” Prince Khalid said. Prince Khalid added that Saudi Arabia views the announcement of a partial ceasefire in Yemen positively because it has always been what the Kingdom sought, adding that the Kingdom hopes that it will be implemented effectively. "The truce announced in Yemen is perceived positively by the Kingdom, as this is what it has always sought, and hopes it will be implemented effectively," Prince Khalid wrote on Twitter. On Sept. 21, the Houthis announced they were ready to make peace with Riyadh, later repeating their offer. Saudi Arabia has said it would judge the Houthis on their "actions and not by their words". Meanwhile, the Arab Coalition said on Friday that two missiles fired from Sanaa by the Iran-backed Houthi militia fell in Saada, the Houthi stronghold near the Saudi-Yemeni border. The coalition’s spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the two missiles were fired on Friday morning, adding that the Houthi militia continues to violate international humanitarian law by sporadically firing missiles, which fall on civilians and threaten lives. Al-Maliki also said that the Arab Coalition continues to take strict and deterrent action to neutralize and destroy the Houthi ballistic capabilities and protect civilians in Yemen and protect regional and international security. — Al-Arabiya English/AFP