Skip to main content
Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Yemen government denies cutting ties with Iran

Fighters against Shiite rebels known as Houthis hold up their weapons as they ride on an armored vehicle near the strait of Bab al-Mandab, west of the southern port city of Aden, to take back the control of the strait, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Earlier in the day, pro- government forces captured a key Houthi encampment near the Bab al-Mandab straight, the strategic southern entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal, security officials said. (AP Photo/Wael Qubady)
Fighters against Shiite rebels known as Houthis hold up their weapons as they ride on an armored vehicle near the strait of Bab al-Mandab, west of the southern port city of Aden, to take back the control of the strait, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Earlier in the day, pro- government forces captured a key Houthi encampment near the Bab al-Mandab straight, the strategic southern entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal, security officials said. (AP Photo/Wael Qubady) Fighters against Shiite rebels known as Houthis hold up their weapons as they ride on an armored vehicle near the strait of Bab al-Mandab, west of the southern port city of Aden, to take back the control of the strait, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Earlier in the day, pro- government forces captured a key Houthi encampment near the Bab al-Mandab straight, the strategic southern entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal, security officials said. (AP Photo/Wael Qubady)

By Associated Press 3 min read

CAIRO (AP) – Yemen’s internationally recognized government withdrew media statements by its Foreign Ministry officials saying it cut ties with Iran, a government spokesman said Friday.

“Cutting ties with Iran does not align with Yemen’s supreme interests,” said Rageh Badie.

The internationally recognized government has long been accusing Iran of arming and training the country’s Shiite rebels known as Houthis. Tehran admits to supporting and advising the rebels, but denies any military aid.

Several government officials blamed the diplomatic mix-up on Foreign Minister Riyad Yasin, with multiple officials telling The Associated Press that Yasin lacks political experience.

Yemen has been torn by a ferocious war between government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis allied with army units loyal to a former president. The U.N. says at least 2,355 civilians have been killed in fighting in Yemen since March, when the Saudi-led coalition began launching airstrikes.