Arab countries criticize Iranian-linked forces in Yemen – In an emergency meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar issued a statement demanding return of state authority in Yemen and criticized the rebels with ties to the Iranian regime, Reuters reported.
GCC interior ministers expressed deep concern about what it termed threats to the Yemeni government and its institutions and the theft of the “properties and capabilities” of the Yemeni people.
After the meeting late on Wednesday in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port of Jeddah GCC states said they would not “stand idly” in front of foreign intervention however did not identify any foreign power.
The statement said: “Yemeni and GCC security is indivisible,” and demanded the return of official buildings to state control and the return of all looted weapons, military equipment and money.
Fighters from al-Houthi group seized Sanaa on Sept. 21 making them effectively the power brokers in the country.
Witnesses said that since Sept 21., armed Houthi tribesmen have been patrolling the streets, operating checkpoints and controlling access to several central government buildings.
Citing intelligence sources in Yemen, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on September 30, the forces in the coutry with links to the Iranian regime and Lebanese Hezbollah, are supporting Houthi rebels to boost their control of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, Arabic language daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported citing intelligence source in the country.
The daily quoted an intelligence source as saying:“Elements affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, who were training Houthis in the north of Yemen, are currently present in the capital Sana’a.”
According to the source who requested anonymity because he was not permitted to brief the media members of IRGC and Hezbollah are helping the rebels implement their political and military agenda in the country, the source said.
Last week, the central government and Houthis signed a deal under the auspices of the UN to form a new government and introduce several economic reforms.
Source: Arab countries criticize Iranian-linked forces in Yemen