Qatar denies mediating Houthi-Saleh rift

Qatar today denied reports by the United Arab Emirate’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash that Doha is mediating between the Houthis and forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, Qatar’s daily newspaper the Peninsula reported.

“Qatar denies and strongly condemns statements by the UAE minister about Qatari mediation between Yemeni parties,” a foreign ministry source said.

“Qatar welcomes any mediation to end this absurd war, for which the Yemeni people pay the price,” the source continued.

Qatar was part of the Saudi-led coalition which entered the Yemen civil war in 2015 to support internationally backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.  The coalition was primarily tasked to neutralise threats by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Qatar predominately secured Saudi Arabia’s southern border, protecting it from attacks by the Houthi group.

Qatar was dismissed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in early June, after it was accused of extremism and terrorism. Doha categorically denied the claims as baseless.

Reports: Ex-Yemen President Saleh killed in Houthi attack