Hawzah News Agency (Tehran, Iran) – Here are some excerpts from Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments on the issue of Yemen:
The people of Yemen are really oppressed
The war in Yemen is a political war, not a religious one. They falsely claim that the issue is about Shia and Sunni while this is not the case. Some of those people who are losing their children, women, infants and their hospitals and schools in Yemen under the bombardment of the Saudis are Shafi'i and some of them are Zaidi . So, the issue is not about Shia and Sunni. The conflict is a political conflict, the conflict between policies. Today, they are creating such a situation in the region. It was they who created discord.
We will support all those people who help unity and we will oppose all those who act against unity. We will support all the oppressed. We will not leave the arena just because they say that we interfered in the affairs of Bahrain and other countries. We did not interfere at all, but we will support them. We feel for the oppressed people of Bahrain and Yemen. We pray for them and we will offer any kind of help we can.
Today, the people of Yemen are really oppressed. They are destroying a country just because of some arrogant and political polices which are pursued in a foolish manner. They could have pursued political goals in a different manner, but they are pursuing them foolishly. The events of Yemen and many other events in the world of Islam - in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other such countries - are really painful for us. And these events are too many and they are really painful. The world of Islam should cure such problems with vigilance and foresight.
Statements made during an address to members of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and Islamic Radio and TV Union; August 17, 2015.
Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen exactly what the Zionists are doing in Gaza
Today, what the government of Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen is exactly the same thing that the Zionists are doing in Gaza. This issue has two aspects: one is that it is a genocidal crime. It is a crime that can be pursued by international authorities. They kill children and destroy houses, infrastructure and national sources of wealth. Well, this is a big crime. This is one aspect of the issue.
The other aspect is that the Saudis will suffer a loss on this matter. They will suffer a loss and they will not achieve any victory. There is a very clear reason for this. The reason is that the military capabilities of the Zionists are several times more than these so-and-so Saudis. The Zionists are much stronger than them. The Zionists too had military capabilities. And the camp against them was a small strip of land, namely Gaza. But the camp against the Saudis is a country which is comprised of tens of millions of people. It is a people and a vast country that has stood up against the Saudis. If the Zionists can achieve victory in Gaza, the Saudis too will achieve victory in Yemen. Of course, even if the Zionists achieved victory, the chances for the Saudis to achieve victory in Yemen would be zero. In the present time, their chances are less than zero. So, they will definitely receive a blow. Without a doubt, their noses will be rubbed in dirt.
We have many differences with the Saudis on different political issues. But we always said that the Saudis behave with tact and gravity in their foreign affairs. But they have lost this tact and gravity. A few inexperienced youth have taken the affairs of that country in their hands and they prefer savagery to tact and maintaining appearances. This will be to their disadvantage. I warn the Saudis to stop the criminal actions they are commiting in Yemen. This is not acceptable in the region.
The people of Yemen are a great, ancient and historic people. They have a millennia-long history. These people have the capacity and capability to decide the fate of their own government. Of course, some people have tried to bring about a power vacuum and to create uproar. They want to create the same events that have unfortunately taken place in Libya - today, there is a very bad and regrettable situation in Libya. But fortunately, they failed to do so. The religious and enthusiastic youth of Yemen who believe in the bright path of the Commander of the Faithful (peace and greetings be upon him) managed to stand up against them. Shia, Sunni, Shafi'i, Zaidi, Hanafi and all types have stood up against the enemy's invasion and by Allah's favor, they will achieve victory. Victory belongs to the people.
Dear God, help our brothers - wherever they are in the world - to achieve victory!
Statements made in meeting with Panegyrists; April 9, 2015.