Dubai: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has issued a stark warning on Yemen.
His comments came in a comprehensive interview with Reuters where he focused on the country’s economic progress and goals.
“If we don’t want another Hezbollah in the Middle East, then let’s change our policy in Yemen,” he warned.
Riyadh says Iran is trying to expand its influence in the region by supporting and funding militias in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Al Houthi militants, who received weapons and funds from Iran, have been engaged in a two-year civil war with Yemen’s legitimate and internationally-recognised government.
The conflict has cost the lives of thousands and has brought largescale humanitarian suffering to its people.
“We’re pursuing until we can be sure that nothing will happen there like Hezbollah again, because Yemen is more dangerous than Lebanon. It’s next to Bab Al Mandab so if something happens there, that means 10 per cent of world trade stops. This is the crisis.”
Prince Mohammad also downplayed the significance of his country’s quarrel with Qatar labeling it as a “very, very, very small issue”.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting and financing extremist groups.
