Interview with Brigadier general of the Air Force Hussite Army Abdullah Al-Jafri
The development of the war in Yemen continues to be the central theme of the international agenda. The parties to the conflict used a strategy of mutual missile attacks on military and civilian infrastructure. The Hussites continue to wage a fierce struggle for every meter of their territory. At the same time, the leaders of the Hussite movement look for the intervention of international mediators who could find ways to end the war and preserve peace in Yemen. And they would like to have Russia as one of such intermediaries.
We talked about this with the Brigadier general of the Air Force Hussite Army Abdullah Al-Jafri, who was directly involved in coordinating the actions of the Yemeni military aviation on objects located in Saudi Arabia.
1) According to the official statement of the representative of the Arab coalition Turki al-Malki on June 13, 2019, Riyadh and its allies intend to take a wide range of measures against the Hussite rocket attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia. What possible actions in the territory of Yemen did Turki al-Malki talk about? If these actions involve the destruction of military support bases and command centers of the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen, does this indicate the international community’s intention to escalate the conflict in Sana’a?
– Our military aviation had the full right to eliminate the sources of threats from Riyadh. In this regard, we decided to dismantle the Patriot air defense batteries at the military airports of Abha, Najran and Jizan near the Yemeni state border.
The strikes of our UAVs were inflicted, including on the hangars in which the airplanes of Saudi Arabia were located. These actions took place in the context of a natural reaction to the crimes of the states of the Arab alliance, as well as in full accordance with the order of the Supreme Leader and the statement of the military representative of the Yemeni army in Sana’a and my personal faith that Saudi Arabia and its allies failed despite modern military capabilities.
The Saudis’ failures were confirmed, including by former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who publicly reported that the mission of the international coalition under the auspices of Riyadh to cause uncontrolled attacks on Yemeni territory failed as a result of the actions of the Hussite army. For this reason, the performance of Turki al-Malki can be viewed as one of the manifestations of the information war, which has been going on for more than five years.
However, today a significant advantage in this war is on the side of Yemen. The Union of Arab monarchies (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) initially sought to destroy the military potential of Sana’a, launching attacks on our airports, aircraft, radar and missile bases. In addition, the goals of the coalition are our seaports and energy infrastructure facilities in order to deprive us of water, electricity and fuel.
Therefore, now we are rapidly but conquering meter by meter of our territory, while giving the enemy a break. Now they are trying to draw us into a new military adventure connected with Iran. To this end, our opponents provoked a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and the port of Fujairah. This was done in order to force Tehran to abandon the alliance with us. But we are trying not to succumb to provocations, while maintaining our good relations with Iran and its Supreme Leader.
2) Russia continues to closely monitor the development of the civil war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. However, until now, Moscow continues to maintain neutrality, not preferring any of the parties to the conflict. What do you think is the reason for such an indefinite Russian policy towards Yemen? What actions of the Russian side are expected in Sanaa: perhaps Moscowmilitary assistance, or the provision of humanitarian supplies, including food and medicines, continues to be a priority area of cooperation?
– We recognize that Russia is a great country, one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. It can stop the aggression and lift the blockade of Yemen.
There are friendly relations between our countries. We were the first Arab states to recognize the Bolshevik revolution in 1918. The ruler of the independent Kingdom of Yemen, Imam Yahya Bin Hamid Al-Din, was a true friend of the Soviet Union until the day of his death.
And even after the overthrow of the imamat in North Yemen and after gaining independence from the British colonialists, Sanaa continued its friendship with Moscow. However, after the collapse of the USSR, Moscow’s influence on Yemen began to rapidly decline and now it is almost completely exhausted.
We are well aware that the whole world is always based on its own interests and builds its relations with any other party based on the exchange of economic and vital interests, which is very well illustrated by the example of Russia’s participation in Syria, where Moscow, defending its interests, in turn , helps the oppressed to the Syrian people and the state. Such an example is fashionable to relay to Yemen, if Moscow will help us.
First of all, we need an end to the war and the preservation of peace, the lifting of the siege from Yemen, and with the participation of the UN seeking a political solution to the conflict in Sana’a. This will be consistent with the desires of the sons and daughters of the Yemeni people. Meanwhile, military support from Russia will not solve the problem of Yemen, but only prolong the conflict for a long time.
3) Are you ready to personally meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to confirm Russian-Yemeni friendship? What would you say to the head of the Russian state during the meeting?
– I would like to meet with the president of such a great country as Russia, with Vladimir Putin, to confirm the friendship of Russia and Yemen, as well as my personal respect for the Russian people. I would like to thank President Putin for accepting us and giving us the opportunity to shed light on the recent events in Yemen caused by the aggressive war in which more than 26 countries are participating.
Vladimir Putin was able to save Russia from collapse and return to it its international status and natural pace of development, despite international pressure. Our states have one common enemy who is trying to destroy us. However, we can combine our efforts. And this will be a huge benefit for both Russia and Yemen.
Image Credit: Reuters