Following the United States' airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthis) declared full support for Tehran and went beyond condemnation, hinting at possible military actions that could once again put U.S. interests in the region at risk.
The United States conducted attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on Saturday.
Yemen's Houthi group called the strikes a serious escalation that threatens regional stability. The group also said that U.S. ships and warships in the Red Sea are now considered possible military targets.
"We strongly condemn the U.S. aggression against Iran. We see it as part of the West's historic crimes, rooted in colonial thinking. And we have declared our full support for Iran. If the U.S. attacks again, we will take direct military action in the Red Sea and target American warships," said Mohammad Taher Anam, advisor of Yemen's Houthi supreme political council.
Many Yemenis have expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East. They warn that expanding the Israel-Iran war could have disastrous consequences for the whole region, especially with ongoing humanitarian crises and conflicts in Gaza and the Red Sea.
"We, as citizens and people of the Arab and Islamic nations, condemn the U.S. attack on Iran. These strikes aim to widen the conflict in the region," said Issa al-Sayani, a Yemeni resident of Sanaa.
Yemen's Houthis hint at possible military actions after US strikes on Iranian
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Beijing on Thursday.
Noting that China-Austria bilateral ties have maintained sound and steady development on the whole over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the most valuable experience guiding bilateral ties lies in mutual respect and equality. He added that the most effective approach is openness, inclusiveness as well as mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
The China-Austria friendly strategic partnership fully proves that countries varying in size, social system and civilization can forge sound friendship and partnerships, said Wang.
Wang said China congratulates Austria on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and China stands ready to step up communication and coordination with Austria to jointly uphold the authority of the UN.
Wang said China and Europe are partners instead of rivals, and China's development represents opportunities for Europe rather than a challenge. China appreciates Austria's rational and pragmatic China policy and hopes Austria will continue to play a constructive role in advancing China-Europe ties, he added.
Meinl-Reisinger said that Austria attaches great importance to developing bilateral ties with China, remains committed to the one-China policy, and stands ready to take the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties as an opportunity to step up strategic dialogue with China and expand all-round cooperation covering trade, investment and green development.
Austria is prepared to support candid China-Europe dialogue to advance the sound and steady growth of China-Europe ties, she added.
Chinese FM meets Austrian counterpart
