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 mentioned.
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 mentioned.
Greater than 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammunition and 23 anti-tank guided missiles had been recovered within the January 15 operation within the Gulf of Oman, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) mentioned Wednesday.
CENTCOM, which oversees American army operations throughout the Center East, mentioned the US supported the interdiction operation, whereas not specifying which companion led it.
However the Wall Road Journal mentioned it was undertaken by French particular forces, citing officers conversant in the operation.
The operation occurred “alongside routes traditionally used to site visitors weapons unlawfully from Iran to Yemen”, CENTCOM mentioned in an announcement.
Iran nonetheless dismissed the assertion, saying the US claims had been “politically motivated” and aimed toward “misdirecting the individuals of the world”.
Tehran’s international ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani mentioned in an announcement Thursday that nations that bought weapons to states which have “invaded” Yemen had been “not ready to accuse others”.
The US 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 extensively been reported to supply materials help to the Huthi rebels through the seven-year warfare, 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 change into a key hub within the arms commerce with jap Africa, with weaponry bought by Yemen-based merchants to rebels in Somalia, Sudan and elsewhere.
