Tehran has "categorically denied" a ship loaded with weapons intercepted off the coast of Yemen in late January or Iranian media reported on Monday citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
"An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denied these claims" that are "irresponsible" and are "not in the interest of both countries," the ministry said.
According to the official news agency Saba Yemen, the ship intercepted with the help of the U.S. Navy in the Arabian Sea January 23, "came from Iran and was responsible in particular for surface to air missiles" called SAT 2 and SAT 3 .
Yemeni authorities had announced last week that it had intercepted the boat "territorial waters" Yemen but did not indicate its origin.
According to the agency Saba, the Yemeni eight crew members, who were "secretly unload the boat," are interviewed.
A Yemeni security source told AFP that the ship was heading to the port of Al-Mukha, the Red Sea and its cargo "was intended to houthie rebellion in Saada province" in the northern Yemen.
Zaidi rebels, a branch of Shiism, led by Abdel Malek al-Houthi, full control Saada province and parts of neighboring provinces.
The Zaidi had risen in 2004, believing marginalized in political, social and religious. Fighting with the army killed thousands of deaths before a cease-fire in February 2010. Since then, fighting between them intermittently Sunni fundamentalists in the north.
Northerners rebels must take part in the next national dialogue provided under the transitional agreement that has challenged the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
No comments:
Post a Comment