EU condemns Houthi threat to bomb Saudi Arabia and UAE

EU condemns threats Yemen’s Houthi rebels Bombing targets in UAE and Saudi Arabia The rupture of the six-month truce troops loyal to an internationally recognized government.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the European Union’s mission to Yemen said it was “gravely concerned by the unacceptable threat of Houthi attacks on oil companies and commercial shipping in neighboring countries”.

On Sunday, the Houthis suggested they could again target oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and warned companies operating in both countries to withdraw. Iran-backed rebel groups have previously fired rockets at oil facilities.

Saudi Arabia has militarily backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government in a brutal war that began in 2014.UAE also officially supports government, but also supports Southern separatist militias that challenged the authority of the government.

The conflict began after Iran-backed Houthis took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.Tens of thousands killed, situation in Yemen described as Worst humanitarian crisis in the world by the United Nations.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in bombings by the Saudi-led coalition intervening in Yemen, and the Houthis have been accused of multiple human rights abuses.

Although a ceasefire was reached in April last year, the Houthi rebels refused to renew the agreement and officially resumed attacks on government positions on October 2. Yemen’s internationally recognized government has previously said it would respond positively to efforts to extend the ceasefire.

The EU statement called on the Houthis to “moderate their demands and engage constructively with the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg,” who is trying to extend the ceasefire.

Yemen’s government forces said on Monday that the Houthis had killed five soldiers and wounded 34 in the final days of the truce.