Hamas backs 'legitimacy' of President Hadi in Yemen

The Palestinian movement Hamas on Saturday signalled its support for constitutional legitimacy in Yemen, in a reference to Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi.

"Hamas stands with legitimacy in Yemen," Hamas said in a statement.

"We underline the importance of Yemen's unity, security and stability," the statement added, noting that Hamas backed the "democratic choices" of the Yemeni people.

This statement is considered Hamas's first tacit message of support for an ongoing Saudi-led military campaign against the Shiite Houthi group in Yemen, even as the Palestinian group did not clearly mention the campaign in its statement.

Yemen has been beset by turmoil since last September, when Shiite militants overran capital Sanaa, from which they have sought to extend their influence to other parts of the country as well.

Since Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and Arab allies have been pounding Houthi positions across Yemen.

Saudi Arabia said the anti-Houthi campaign was in response to appeals by Yemeni President Hadi to "save the people [of Yemen] from the Houthi militias."

Hadi accuses Iran of supporting Yemen's Houthi insurgency.