Iran is calling for a dialogue between all Yemeni groups amid reports that a missile was launched from Yemen toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and that clashes have intensified between Houthis and followers of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was killed Dec. 4.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said Dec. 3 that “all domestic differences can be solved with dialogue," and that talks will “close all the paths for foreign enemies to take advantage” of the civil war in Yemen.
Yemen’s civil war has pitted multiple groups and countries against one another. Iran has supported Houthi militias that were previously aligned with Saleh’s forces, before turning on each other, leading to Saleh’s death. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States have backed various groups and a government in exile while conducting an air war and blockade on parts of the country, which have led to famine.
Iranian media outlets are reporting that the Houthis — whose official name is Ansar Allah — have launched a missile at a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi. The UAE denied this claim, yet Iranian media continue to cover the story extensively. According to Jahan News, a Houthi spokesman confirmed that a missile was launched at the power plant. According to the same article, a Houthi spokesman had previously said that “Abu Dhabi will be the prime target of our missiles, and operations inside the territory of Saudi Arabia will increase.”
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