An Unexpected Visit

A Houthi Representative

By STEPHANY MUÑOZ DOT, THE PEOPLE’S DAILY

Even though Iran has announced its support for the Houthi regime in Yemen, it remains unclear whether it will be supporting it economically. The Cabinet of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with all its Ministers, is currently discussing what its position will be on the matter. During tonight’s session, a representative of the Houthi regime bursted through the doors, to give the Iranian Ministers a clear message, he came “to ask for adequate funding for the Houthi regime so that it can be Iran’s partner in the Gulf.”

The Houthis have lost its main source of funding, Saudi Arabia, and they are now looking for someone to fill the empty spot. As stated by “the visitor” Saudi Arabia has offered four to five billions a year in funding. When asked by Iran’s Finance Minister what “adequate funding” means to the Houthi regime, he replied by saying that they expect at least what its former funder was offering. Another interesting question brought forward by the Finance Minister was “what plans for a stable government do you have?” The answer, was one sure to please the Cabinet, “a government based on State control”.
It is very important to keep in mind that Yemen is the poorest Arab country and that even though there is oil in Yemen, it is found in the south which is controlled by Sunni tribes. Iran remains skeptical and wants to know what would Yemen do if they were to give the Houthi regime the economical aid they are asking for. To try to persuade the Ministers present, the arguments used were that Yemen is in one of the “most economically rich trade zones”, that it is a “strategic point”, and he did not forget to point out that they are “in the region of your biggest opponent, Saudi Arabia”. These statements leave a very clear message, and very little to the imagination.

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