"Saudi aggression against Yemen served as a breeding ground for the development of extremist forces, such as al-Qaeda and IS [Daesh] and, in the situation when central authorities are weakened, when the country is in the state of war, these extremist forces have an opportunity for spreading their influence, expanding [the field] of their actions," Brig. Gen. Yahya Mohamed Abdullah Saleh said during a press conference at the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency.
He also urged Russia and the international community to put pressure on Saudi Arabia, so that it withdraws troops and stops bloodshed in Yemen.
"We call on Russia and the international community to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia, so that it withdraws the troops from Yemeni territory, stops violence and blockade of Yemen and provides humanitarian aid delivery," Saleh said at a press conference at the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency.
Saleh noted that all the members of political community in Yemen should be engaged in a dialogue on elaboration of a solution on Yemeni crisis.
"We call on everybody to end the war, military actions and make efforts to ensure security and stabilization of the situation in the country," Saleh, who is also a chairman of Yemen’s public organization Alliance for Progress and Development, said.
Since 2014, Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi fighters, supported by army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
A Saudi-led coalition has conducted numerous airstrikes against the Houthis since March 2015.
