Qatar- Iran boat with arms for Houthis seized

Date

9/30/2015 9:38:31 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

DUBAI: Saudi-led coalition forces said yesterday that they had seized an Iranian fishing boat loaded with weapons on its way to deliver them to Houthi fighters in Yemen.

The announcement came a day after tribal fighters backed by the coalition won control of a strategic dam in central Yemen from Houthi forces following weeks of fighting east of the capital Sana’a.

The coalition which also includes Bahrain Qatar Egypt and the UAE has been battling the Iranian-backed Houthis for more than six months. It aims to restore to power President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi’s government forced out by the Houthis and contain what Gulf Arab states see as Tehran’s growing influence in their backyard.

As part of the campaign Saudi-led naval forces have imposed a near-blockade to prevent weapons from reaching the Houthis resulting in long delays and mandatory searches for shippers in the region.

A coalition statement said 14 Iranian sailors were detained on the boat which was carrying 18 anti-armoured Concourse shells 54 anti-tank shells shell-battery kits firing guidance systems launchers and batteries for binoculars.

“The Command of the Coalition ... foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons destined to the Houthi militias on an Iranian fishing boat” the statement said adding the vessel was seized on Saturday some 150 miles off Salalah in southern Oman. There was no immediate comment from Iran. The coalition has long accused Iran of arming the Houthis who seized control of Yemen starting in September last year claiming they were out to fight corruption and to force Hadi to bring them into the government.

The seizure of the Marib dam is the biggest success for several weeks for the Yemeni militia fighting alongside Gulf troops. Together they have pushed toward the Houthi-controlled capital Sana’a 110km west of the dam but progress has been slowed by landmines and stiff resistance from Houthi forces in rugged mountains.Reuters

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