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Afghanistan backs Saudi Arabia on Yemen crisis

Afghanistan backs Saudi Arabia on Yemen crisis

author avatar
2 Apr 2015 - 10:34
Afghanistan backs Saudi Arabia on Yemen crisis
author avatar
2 Apr 2015 - 10:34

KABUL has announced its support to Saudi Arabia for the 10-nation Saudi-led coalition against Yemeni Houthis.

The alliance has launched airstrikes on the positions of anti-government militia capturing several cities.

Saudi Arabia has been striving to garner support from other Islamic states to make sure that the kingdom had enough support to beat the Iran-backed Shiites armed militia in its southern neighboring country. 

In this state of affairs, Kabul has decided to stand by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a statement from the Presidential Palace said.

The decision to support Saudi Arabia in the conflict had been unanimously taken after consultations with ulema, jihadi leaders, security officials, analysts and elders, the statement said.

It added the government should take every step in the larger interest of the county and peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia shared commonalities in religious, cultural and other issues and Afghanistan would make available all its force for the defence of the holy places on Saudi Arabia land, the statement said.

Afghanistan recognised the democratically elected government in Yemen that represented the wishes and aspirations of its people, it said, adding that Afghanistan had experience of war consequences and therefore suggested the ongoing conflict be settled thorough dialogue.

Earlier, President Ashraf Ghani held telephonic conversation with Custodian of the two holy mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency reports both the leaders discussed bilateral relations between “the two fraternal countries and the whole spectrum of regional and international situation.”

However, the news agency did not give further details into conversation between the two dignitaries. Talks between Ghani and King Salman came time when rumours about peace negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban being circulated.

Dr. Faiz Mohammad Zaland, a political analyst, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Saudi Arabia and Iran were fighting a proxy war in Yemen.

He said Afghanistan should keep itself at a distance from interfering in the Yemen crisis. “We need to respect the decision of Yemeni people,” he said, adding that Kabul should play a neutral role on Yemen issue.

Neighbouring Pakistan also held a high-level meeting chaired by prime minister Nawaz Sharif whether to support Saudi Arabia or stay neutral in the Yemen crisis.

The meeting takes place after a Pakistani delegation returned from Riyadh, where it was furnished with the demands of the Saudi leadership and discussed with Saudi officials the possible solutions to escalating violence in Yemen.

nh/rm/ma

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