MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Foreign Minister reiterated that concentrating on one single country and not taking into account what is going on in the whole region cannot be an efficient approach in the struggle against terrorism.
"The only side that seriously improved its positions because of the bombings in Yemen is al-Qaeda, which is now rivaling the Islamic State [militant group]."
He added that the "rivalry" between al-Qaeda and the ISIL is not something "carved in stone", as the militants tend to "flow" from one terrorist group to another, depending on pay conditions and a number of other factors.
Yemen: civilians killed, injured by anti-aircraft fire and airstrikes on weapons depot https://t.co/DHGn6Zbcv7 pic.twitter.com/d8AqPUgn45
— Thomas Coombes (@T_Coombes) May 29, 2015
For months now, Yemen has been engulfed in violent conflict between the Houthis, the country's largest opposition faction, and forces loyal to President-in-exile Hadi.
Former president of #Yemen, Saleh tell @AlMayadeen he was offered millions of $ by the #Saudi to switch sides pic.twitter.com/PHx603p2m4
— Nasser Atta (@nasseratta5) May 29, 2015
On March 26, upon Hadi's request, a Saudi Arabia-led international coalition began airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. In April, it was announced that the military operation, called Decisive Storm, was to be replaced by Operation Restoring Hope, aiming to focus on a political dialogue between conflicting sides. The Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, however, have continued.
#Yemen: Civilians caught in a deadly crossfire between the #Saudi-led airstrikes & #Huthi fire http://t.co/NIRBypgA0o pic.twitter.com/yAp2CGXadQ
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) May 29, 2015