WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Bin Laden explained that the former Yemeni president had undertaken actions for several decades that are contrary to Islam, including "appeasing the infidels," and providing the grounds for the United States to kill "our people" in Iraq and Palestine.
"Here, I tell the Muslims in Yemen that the reasons for a revolution and the factors for its success are available to you. One of the main reasons for a revolution in Islam is that it is a religious obligation," bin Laden wrote. "Scholars emphasized the importance of removing a leader who carries out deeds that are contrary to Islam."
The visits by US officials to Yemen and Saleh’s compliance with Washington’s request to end the war against the Houthi rebels are also a proof that Saleh had betrayed the Muslims there.
"In addition to the aforementioned reasons, the biggest reason for revolutions is the regimes’ rampant financial and administrative corruption that led to an excess of injustice and poverty, and that is what the regime is doing there," bin Laden added.
However, Saleh confirmed his alliance with the Houthi rebels — known as Ansar Allah or Supporters of God — and called on all Yemenis to defend their country against the aggression by a Saudi-led coalition of mostly Arab states. The coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions since late March 2015.
Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government and the Houthi rebels opposition movement since 2014.
Also on Tuesday, the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence also declassified and released bin Laden’s will.