An operation by Western allies reportedly led by France seized a boatload of weapons and ammunition allegedly being despatched to Yemen from Iran final month, the US army stated.
n operation by Western allies reportedly led by France seized a boatload of weapons and ammunition allegedly being despatched to Yemen from Iran final month, the US army stated.
Greater than 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammunition and 23 anti-tank guided missiles have been recovered within the January 15 operation within the Gulf of Oman, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated Wednesday.
CENTCOM, which oversees American army operations throughout the Center East, stated the US supported the interdiction operation, whereas not specifying which associate led it.
However the Wall Road Journal stated it was undertaken by French particular forces, citing officers accustomed to the operation.
The operation passed off “alongside routes traditionally used to visitors weapons unlawfully from Iran to Yemen”, CENTCOM stated in a press release.
Iran nevertheless dismissed the assertion, saying the US claims have been “politically motivated” and aimed toward “misdirecting the folks of the world”.
Tehran’s overseas ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani stated in a press release Thursday that international locations that bought weapons to states which have “invaded” Yemen have been “not ready to accuse others”.
The USA is a key provider of arms to Saudi Arabia which in 2015 launched an operation in Yemen to drive out Iran-backed Huthi rebels who had seized the capital Sanaa.
Iran has in the meantime broadly been reported to supply materials help to the Huthi rebels throughout the seven-year battle, a declare rejected by Tehran.
On January 6, US forces intercepted a fishing vessel within the Gulf of Oman that was carrying greater than 2,100 assault rifles, additionally believed to have been headed to Yemen from Iran.
US forces in December seized a ship loaded with tons of ammunition, chemical compounds, fuses and rocket propellants believed to have been sure for the Huthis, who’ve fired rockets and assault drones at Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
However Yemen has additionally turn out to be a key hub within the arms commerce with jap Africa, with weaponry bought by Yemen-based merchants to rebels in Somalia, Sudan and elsewhere.
