Iran: Saudi Arabia should stop backing terrorists in Yemen

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused the country’s Sunni rival Saudi Arabia of backing terrorists in Yemen’s war, state TV reported yesterday.

“Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen and their support of terrorists in Yemen and Syria are main hurdles to improve ties between Tehran and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia should stop backing terrorists,” Rouhani told state TV.

Saudi Arabia and Shia-led Iran compete for influence in the Middle East, where they support rival groups in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Read: Yemen PM claims victory is near against Houthis

In Yemen, Iran backs the Houthi militias who are supported by forces loyal to ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh, while Saudi Arabia backs the internationally recognised government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi which has been forced out of the capital Sana’a and setup base in the southern city of Aden.

While in Syria, Iran has provided military support to President Bashar Al-Assad while Saudi Arabia has supported armed groups fighting to overthrow him.