Sana'a (Debriefer) - The appointment of Hassan Irloo as Iran's envoy for Yemen suggests "very perilous indications", a Houthi dissident leader tweeted on Friday, as this "intelligent move" will further empower Tehran in the country.
Irloo is in charge of Yemen's file, works directly for Khamenei office, has nothing to do with the Iranian foreign ministry, and was enlisted in the IRG force," Ali al-Bokhaiti added.
"Given his relations with most of the Houthi leaders, Irloo appointment as an ambassador to the Houthi-held Sana'a has very dangerous indications and dimensions," the former member of Houthi politburo argued, noting that the Iranian officer "hosted Houthis leaders and released their dues in Beirut and Iran before sending them to Yemen during the last decade."
He was appointed as an envoy to cover the real role Irloo would play in Yemen. He represents Ali Khamenei in Yemen, so "you may imagine the vital part he is tasked with.
"The appointment decision came to publicize Irloo's role after long years of covert work – moving between Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and other areas – and to give him Khamenei's reward.
"I met with him many times in Lebanon, and travelled with him in one occasion to Iran at his invitation," Bokhaiti added.
The position of an ambassador to Sana'a will be a new chapter of constructive relations between Iran and Yemen, the Iranian's parliament assistant speaker for international affairs tweeted on Thursday.
"Yemen is not a playground for aggressors. We see Yemen's future is for all the Yemenis," Hassan Amir Abdullahian added.
Last Tuesday, Irloo officially presented his credentials to the Houthi foreign minister in Sana'a.
On 17 October, Tehran announced the appointment of an ambassador to the Houthi-held Sana'a, after the group appointed Ibrahim al-Dailami as envoy to Iran med-August 2019.
Iran's ambassador arrival to Sana'a triggered wide arguments on how the man came to Sana'a amid the air, sea and land blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition on Yemen.
Iran is the only country that has so far sent an ambassador to Sana'a, pushing the UN-recognized government to officially complain to the UN Security Council against Tehran.
