SANAA, Yemen, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The failure of world leaders to engage diplomatically in the conflict in Yemen encourages the government to act wantonly, an al-Houthi rebel leader said.
Yemeni forces cracked down on al-Houthi rebels operating in the northern provinces in early August. The United Nations and international relief groups warn the protracted conflict has created a humanitarian disaster for those displaced the violence.
In a series of e-mail statements to the Emirati news agency al-Arabiya, al-Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi blamed the lack of mediation by the United States and its allies for the failure the reach a peace deal in Yemen.
"This encourages the government to engage in more unjust measures towards the people and to continue committing its crimes," he said.
He went on to deny there was foreign involvement in the insurgency, downplaying allegations it had explicit support from either Iranian of Iraqi players.
The government blames al-Houthis for attempting to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region. The rebel leader, however, said his group was working to enhance cultural influences in order to benefit all of the Yemeni people.
"We are building a culture based on the Koran and which aims at reforming the situation in the country and providing a decent life for its citizens," he said.
