UAE Armed Forces stay in Yemen till war is over, Gargash says

The UAE Armed Forces will continue their role in Yemen alongside Saudi Arabia until the end of the war, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs says.

Dr Anwar Gargash tweeted that the Armed Forces had performed their combat role in the Saudi-led Arab coalition with a high sense of courage and professionalism, reported Wam, the state news agency.

“The Riyadh-Abu Dhabi alliance will emerge from this crisis much stronger and more influential. Strategic imperatives in the region required that and gains will have a positive impact on our stability,” Dr Gargash said.

“The Saudi-led coalition has opted for the Decisive Storm operation after exhausting all peace efforts. With Houthi and [deposed president Ali Abdullah] Saleh insistence on resorting to violence and a coup, King Salman’s historic decision underscored an absolute Arab effort reflecting the deep understanding of the connection of the coup with the Iranian dimension. Goals of the Decisive Storm operation were crystal clear, which contributed to its success – to bring the Yemen crisis back on the political track, to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, and to counter Iranian interference,” said Dr Gargash, who also hailed Riyadh’s management of the crisis as “exceptional”.

“We are proud of the UAE’s credible and professional role. With the coalition delivering its core goals, it is up to the Yemenis to reach an inclusive agreement that rejects the coup.”

The UAE remains a close, reliable ally to Saudi Arabia, said Dr Gargash.

“This partnership, which gets much stronger with the Yemen crisis, is the key pillar of the future.

“Now it is the responsibility of the Yemeni people and factions to build channels of communication and agree on a political solution regarding the state and its institutions. National responsibility is a prerequisite for success.”