Hamas: We do not take sides in the unfortunate conflict in Yemen

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Palestine affirmed on Tuesday that it does not take sides in the “unfortunate conflict” in Yemen, wishing this Arab country and its people “goodness, unity and an exit from the conflict.”

This came against the backdrop of reservations by Yemeni and Arab parties regarding a meeting on Sunday with the charge d’affaires of “Hamas” in Yemen, Moaz Abu Shammala, with Muhammad Ali al-Houthi, one of the prominent leaders of the Houthi group.

During the meeting, Abu Shammala praised the initiative launched by the Houthi group to support the Palestinian people during the recent Israeli aggression.

He said, “We feel brotherhood and comfort in Yemen, and this indicates the Yemeni people’s love for Palestine and Al-Aqsa (the mosque).”

In its statement, Hamas said that Abu Shammala’s statements “about victory and liberation are only intended to liberate Jerusalem and Palestine.”

For about 7 years, Yemen has been witnessing a war between the Iranian-backed Houthis and government forces backed by an Arab coalition led by neighboring Saudi Arabia.

And added: Any statement, position, or behavior that is understood to be biased towards any party or interference by the movement in the unfortunate conflict in Yemen is a personal position that does not reflect the movement and its leadership.

He expressed his appreciation for “the Yemeni people’s standing by the Palestinian people in all their jihad and struggle stations, the last of which was their sincere brotherly stand with us in the battle of Saif al-Quds.”

The “Sword of Jerusalem” is the name given by the Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip to a military confrontation with Israel, which lasted for 11 days and ended with a cease-fire at dawn on May 21.

Hamas affirmed its standing “with all the brotherly Yemeni people,” wishing Yemen and its people “goodness, unity and an exit from the conflict.”

By force of arms, the Houthi group has controlled Yemeni governorates, including the capital, Sanaa (north), since September 2014.

The ongoing war in Yemen has claimed more than 233,000 lives, and 80 percent of the population of about 30 million people has become dependent on aid in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.