Support for Ali Abdullah Saleh; Saudi-led Coalition Bombs Houthi Positions in Sanaa

Regional coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia bombed Houthi positions in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, in support of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Mr. Saleh and the Houthis were allies just a week ago, but this alliance ended following clashes between their forces in a southern area of Sanaa. According to Reuters, Al Arabiya, a Saudi-affiliated television network, reported the bombing of Houthi positions in Yemen's capital on Sunday, December 3, without mentioning casualty figures, although local residents reported at least five airstrikes. Reuters also quoted residents of Sanaa stating that the Houthis managed to seize the building of Yemen's news network studios, owned by Mr. Ali Abdullah Saleh, during a confrontation on Sunday. Mr. Saleh had sent a message through this television network to the regional coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia on Saturday, December 2, stating that he was ready to negotiate with coalition member countries if the coalition's attacks on Yemeni citizens ceased, and to begin a 'new chapter' in relations with them. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern over civilian injuries during the clashes in Sanaa, reporting that dozens have been killed and hundreds injured so far. Ali Abdullah Saleh's change of position has been welcomed by the regional coalition forces led by Riyadh, especially since, according to Reuters, the coalition has made little progress against the Houthis, who have controlled a large part of northern Yemen since 2015. Yemen has been embroiled in civil war since late 2014 following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and the subsequent control of the government. The Houthis, with the support of forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, attacked Aden, the temporary capital of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen's president, forcing him to flee the country. Following this event, Mr. Hadi requested the Saudi-led coalition forces to engage in war against the Houthis. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi is recognized by the United Nations as the legitimate president of Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which leads the coalition of countries fighting in Yemen, criticizes Iran for supporting the Houthis. So far, at least 10,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced in the Yemeni civil war. Other consequences of the war in the poorest Arab country include around one million people contracting cholera and Yemen being on the brink of famine. Meanwhile, the United Nations announced on Friday, December 1, that seven to eight million people in Yemen are on the verge of famine. In this context, Ali Abdullah Saleh expressed readiness to negotiate with Saudi Arabia and its allies, while the UN humanitarian chief called for the complete lifting of the blockade on Yemen. UN experts stated that the Houthi missiles fired at Riyadh were likely made in Iran. Rouhani stated that we do not want a rift between Iran and the Arab world.