MOGADISHU, Somalia’s government has officially acknowledged it allowed Saudi Arabia to employ its airspace for conducting airstrikes against Houthi militia who took over large parts of Yemen, including the capital.
The subject has been the centre of controversy among Somalis who opposed the government’s move, saying it would provoke an redundant backlash against Somali refugees in Yemen by shia Houthi fighters who ousted president Hadi.
In an interview with the BBC Somali service on Tuesday, Abdisalam Hadliye, Somalia’s foreign minister says the decision was made in opposition to the ouster of the Yemeni president by Houthi fighters.
“We have adopted that policy in solidarity with the Arab league since we are a member of the organization.” He said.
He says despite war his country had a six transitional periods in which six governments peacefully handed over power to each other through ballot, affirming Somalia would standby the Yemeni government in its fight against Houthi militia.
He further stated that Somali government would relocate Somali refugees in Yemen to Somalia without giving specific date.
Saudi Arabia and a coalition of regional allies have launched a military operation in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, who deposed the US-backed Yemeni president last month.
The coalition said they started airstrikes to “answer the call of President Hadi to protect Yemen and his people from the aggression of the Houthi militia”.
Hiiraan Online,Tuesday, April 7, 2015