Iran ships 'turn back' from Yemen as fighting rages
SANAA: An Iranian ship convoy suspected of carrying weapons for Shiite rebels in Yemen has turned back, US officials said, as Saudi-led warplanes kept up air strikes on the anti-government forces.
The conflict has sent tensions soaring between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, which backs the Huthi rebels, raising fears Yemen could become a new front in a proxy war between Middle East powers.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin on Thursday accused Tehran of trying to break a naval blockade on his country, describing the war as an "Iranian plot implemented by the Houthi militia."
A US official said Thursday the nine-ship Iranian convoy that had been heading for Yemen is "no longer on the same course".
The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and other American warships have deployed off Yemen's coast to track the Iranian flotilla and possibly prevent any arms deliveries to the Iran-backed Houthi Shiite rebels.
The flotilla included two "armed vessels," said the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It was possible the Iranians "could make a turn to Yemen at any time," the official added.
Iran is a key ally of the Houthis but vehemently denies arming them. It has presented a peace plan to the UN calling for a ceasefire and the formation of a unity government.
With international pressure mounting for a political solution, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced plans to appoint Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as his new envoy to Yemen.
He replaces Morocco's Jamal Benomar, who resigned last week after losing support for his mediation efforts from oil-rich Gulf countries.
The Huthis swept into the capital in September from their northern stronghold, and later advanced south on the major port of Aden, forcing President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh last month.
The UN Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on the Huthis.
- Prince sparks controversy -
The Saudi-led alliance says it has destroyed the Houthis' missile and air capabilities, removing the threat to neighbouring countries.
But the capital remains in rebel hands while Al-Qaeda has exploited the instability to seize more territory in the largely lawless southeast.
The UN says millions have been affected by the conflict and are struggling to access healthcare, water, food and fuel.
"The toll on civilians has been immense," UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw said.
The UN's human rights agency said Friday at least 551 of the people killed were civilians.
A billionaire Saudi prince purportedly deleted a controversial tweet in which he offered 100 luxury Bentley cars to air force pilots who took part in the bombing.
The message sparked criticism from other Twitter users, with some accusing Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of being a "show off" and another saying a gift of 100 warplanes "would have been more patriotic."
No pilots have died during the air campaign but eight Saudi security personnel were killed in armed skirmishes along the border with Yemen
Source: https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-24/295627-iran-ships-turn-back-from-yemen-as-fighting-rages.ashx
The conflict has sent tensions soaring between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, which backs the Huthi rebels, raising fears Yemen could become a new front in a proxy war between Middle East powers.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin on Thursday accused Tehran of trying to break a naval blockade on his country, describing the war as an "Iranian plot implemented by the Houthi militia."
A US official said Thursday the nine-ship Iranian convoy that had been heading for Yemen is "no longer on the same course".
The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and other American warships have deployed off Yemen's coast to track the Iranian flotilla and possibly prevent any arms deliveries to the Iran-backed Houthi Shiite rebels.
The flotilla included two "armed vessels," said the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It was possible the Iranians "could make a turn to Yemen at any time," the official added.
Iran is a key ally of the Houthis but vehemently denies arming them. It has presented a peace plan to the UN calling for a ceasefire and the formation of a unity government.
With international pressure mounting for a political solution, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced plans to appoint Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as his new envoy to Yemen.
He replaces Morocco's Jamal Benomar, who resigned last week after losing support for his mediation efforts from oil-rich Gulf countries.
The Huthis swept into the capital in September from their northern stronghold, and later advanced south on the major port of Aden, forcing President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh last month.
The UN Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on the Huthis.
- Prince sparks controversy -
The Saudi-led alliance says it has destroyed the Houthis' missile and air capabilities, removing the threat to neighbouring countries.
But the capital remains in rebel hands while Al-Qaeda has exploited the instability to seize more territory in the largely lawless southeast.
The UN says millions have been affected by the conflict and are struggling to access healthcare, water, food and fuel.
"The toll on civilians has been immense," UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw said.
The UN's human rights agency said Friday at least 551 of the people killed were civilians.
A billionaire Saudi prince purportedly deleted a controversial tweet in which he offered 100 luxury Bentley cars to air force pilots who took part in the bombing.
The message sparked criticism from other Twitter users, with some accusing Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of being a "show off" and another saying a gift of 100 warplanes "would have been more patriotic."
No pilots have died during the air campaign but eight Saudi security personnel were killed in armed skirmishes along the border with Yemen
Source: https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-24/295627-iran-ships-turn-back-from-yemen-as-fighting-rages.ashx
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